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China will allow duty-free imports of some South African products under a trade agreement currently being finalised, South Africa’s trade ministry said on Thursday.
By nation, China is South Africa’s biggest trading partner, followed by the United States, which imposed 30% tariffs on a number of South African goods in August 2025.
Parks Tau, South Africa’s Minister of Trade and Industry, is scheduled to visit China to sign the deal, which “will see South African exports getting duty-free access to the Chinese market and attract investment into South Africa,” the ministry said.
“This trip comes at a time when South Africa is pursuing an objective of market diversification and export growth,” it added.
The ministry, however, did not specify which products or sectors would be covered.
The ministry said Tau will also hold meetings with Chinese companies interested in investing in South Africa.
China became South Africa’s largest trading partner in 2023, overtaking the European Union.
South Africa’s main exports to China are agricultural and mineral goods. The United Nations’ international trade database states that South Africa exported US$12.41 billion to China in 2024. By 2008, China had overtaken the United States as South Africa’s top trading partner, and South Africa had grown to become China’s largest African market.
Concerned that its 30% tariffs on a range of goods could result in the loss of thousands of jobs, Pretoria has stated it is seeking a better trade agreement with the US.
But relations between South Africa and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump have faced challenges over the past year, affecting broader trade engagement.
