South Africa and China have signed a framework trade and investment agreement in Beijing to facilitate bilateral trade, investment and cooperation.
The China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (CAEPA) is expected to give South African goods duty-free access to the Chinese market and encourage more Chinese investment.
The move comes amid a 30% tariff on South African exports to the US imposed in August 2025. In response, the South African government has stepped up efforts to diversify export destinations, actively seeking new markets while expanding access to existing ones.
The deal was signed by South Africa's minister of trade, industry and competition Parks Tau and Chinese commerce minister Wang Wentao.
"We will negotiate with a view to create the necessary safeguards built into the agreement so as to protect South Africa's industrial capacity," Tau said. "We look forward to attracting even more Chinese investment into South Africa, and also introducing many South African products into the Chinese market."
“As China-South Africa relations continue to deepen, new opportunities emerge for South African businesses seeking to enter the Chinese market, particularly in sectors such as mining, agriculture, renewable energy, and technology," he added.
The new deal would be followed by further negotiations and is expected to conclude in an "Early Harvest Agreement," which is due by the end of March 2026.
Theodor Lisovoy, Managing Editor, Rough&Polished
