Africa-China Cooperation Presents Stable Trade Path Amid Tariff Disputes

(MENAFN) Strengthened cooperation between Africa and China presents a stable alternative amid global tariff disputes disrupting international trade, according to experts at a recent policy dialogue.

The event, hosted by the Abuja-based Center for China Studies, focused on ways to enhance Nigeria-China and Africa-China partnerships during current global trade tensions.

"This irreducible and non-negotiable category in Nigeria-China bilateral cooperation opens the expressway for fruitful and productive bilateral engagement that leverages the opportunities of the current time," said Charles Onunaiju, director of the center and dialogue convener. "Nigeria and China are currently at a historic high of their bilateral cooperation, with even more prospects for the frontiers to expand and deepen."

Onunaiju highlighted that platforms like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative have helped establish foundational systems that enable Nigeria and other African countries to endure economic disruptions linked to U.S. trade policies.

Agronomist Retson Tedheke stressed the importance of Nigeria enhancing institutional capacity, modernizing infrastructure, and maintaining consistent development strategies. He urged African nations to focus on internal growth and align with dependable partners like China.

Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, head of political science and international relations at the University of Abuja, remarked on China’s ongoing pledge to forge practical, cooperative relationships. "China's engagement with Africa has been consistent and pragmatic, especially in times of need," he said.

Ibrahim also suggested that the Nigeria-China relationship could influence broader shifts in global trade dynamics. He pointed to Nigeria’s population and economic clout as key factors that position Africa as a valuable market for Chinese collaboration.

MENAFN24052025000045017169ID1109589820