What is Kenya's current trade status with China?

Kenya has initiated talks with China for a bilateral trade agreement and secured preliminary access for 98.2% of its goods duty-free.

Why is the US pressuring Kenya regarding a China trade deal?

The US is reportedly concerned about Kenya signing a substantive trade deal with China, although Kenya seeks to balance this with US trade agreements like AGOA.

What is the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)?

AGOA is a US trade pact that has provided many African countries with duty- and quota-free access to the US market, which Kenya is seeking to extend.

Home / Business and Economy / Kenya Seeks New Trade Deal with China Amidst US Pressure

Kenya Seeks New Trade Deal with China Amidst US Pressure

15 Jan

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Summary

Kenya initiated trade talks with China for a bilateral agreement.
China offered Kenya 98.2% duty-free market access for its goods.
The US is reportedly pressuring Kenya against signing a substantive trade deal with China.

Kenya Seeks New Trade Deal with China Amidst US Pressure

Kenya has initiated discussions with China to forge a bilateral trade agreement, seeking to align with trade privileges extended to other African nations. This development follows Kenya's exclusion from Beijing's list of least developed countries that benefit from duty- and quota-free access.

A preliminary agreement has been reached, granting Kenyan goods access to 98.2% of the Chinese market duty-free. Despite this progress, reports suggest the United States is actively discouraging Kenya from finalizing a significant trade deal with China.

Kenya maintains that pursuing a market access arrangement with China does not conflict with its efforts to re-authorize the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and establish a separate Bilateral Trade Agreement with the US, demonstrating a strategic approach to global trade relations.