China, long known as the “workshop of the world”, is opening its doors to Egyptian goods tariff-free under a broad initiative that includes most African countries.
As of 1 May, China introduced a zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries, giving them preferential access to its market of around 1.5 billion people. While the move appears to offer a major opportunity for Egyptian exporters, it also places them before a difficult challenge: competing in one of the world’s largest and most crowded consumer markets.
The Chinese decision comes at a sensitive moment as protectionist policies are rising globally, particularly with US President Donald Trump pushing for tougher tariff measures on imports from multiple countries.
Against this backdrop, Beijing appears eager to position itself as a more open trade partner for emerging and African economies, including Egypt.
Although tariff exemptions remove a major barrier for Egyptian products entering China, success will not come automatically. The Chinese market is not only enormous, but also fiercely competitive, with millions of local and imported products across different price and quality categories. Any new entrant must prove its competitiveness quickly.
Khaled Abul-Makarem, chairman of the Export Council for Chemical Industries and head of Makarem Tex, described the move as a genuine opportunity to expand Egyptian exports to China, particularly given the massive size and purchasing capacity of the Chinese economy.
Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly, Abul-Makarem said sectors such as fertilisers, chemicals, agricultural products, food industries, and construction materials could benefit significantly from the decision, provided exporters focus on quality and comply with Chinese standards.
China, he noted, applies strict import requirements related to technical specifications, food safety, packaging, delivery speed, and supply stability. As a result, the success of Egyptian exporters will depend not only on tariff exemptions, but also on their ability to establish a reliable reputation in the Chinese market.
Trade figures between the two countries highlight the current imbalance. In fiscal year 2024-2025, the trade volume between Egypt and China rose to $11.03 billion from $7.2 billion a year earlier, according to data from the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE).
However, the increase was driven mainly by Chinese exports to Egypt, which reached $10.7 billion, while Egyptian exports to China fell to $309.8 million from $490.1 million the previous year.
This gap underscores how trade relations still heavily favour China, raising questions about Egypt’s ability to turn the tariff exemptions into meaningful gains that could narrow the trade deficit.
Abul-Makarem acknowledged that reducing the deficit will not happen quickly, as Chinese imports into Egypt remain large and diversified, including industrial products, electronics, and manufacturing components essential to many Egyptian industries. Still, he believes the decision could gradually boost Egyptian exports and improve the trade balance in certain sectors.
Mohamed Al-Beheiry, a board member of the Federation of Egyptian Industries and chairman of the Al-Beheiry Group, believes the opportunity extends beyond one sector and could benefit a wide range of Egyptian exporters if they properly understand the needs of the Chinese market.
Speaking to the Weekly, Al-Beheiry said Egyptian exporters will gradually identify which products are most in demand in China, stressing that opening new export markets should remain a priority amid the present global economic uncertainty.
He argued that Egyptian goods capable of competing in both price and quality will have the best chance of penetrating the Chinese market, particularly agricultural products, where Egypt enjoys climate-related advantages and crop diversity.
Al-Beheiry also pointed to opportunities in clothing and textiles, given the long experience of Egyptian manufacturers in the sector and Egypt’s trade agreements with multiple global markets, which have strengthened the export capabilities of Egyptian producers.
“The most important thing right now is that a new market has opened for Egyptian goods,” Al-Beheiry said, adding that gaining access to Chinese consumers is a decision not driven purely by economics.
The move also reflects broader strategic and political goals, as Beijing has spent years expanding its trade and investment influence across Africa through infrastructure projects, industrial investments, and trade agreements.
Abul-Makarem believes China is using the initiative to strengthen its position as a key economic partner for African countries, particularly at a time of growing international competition for influence on the continent.
Beijing is also attempting to present itself as a more flexible and open alternative to Western economies, many of which are increasingly adopting restrictive trade policies and tariffs.
Despite the opportunities, the key question remains whether Egyptian companies can truly capitalise on this opening. Success will depend on improving product quality, complying with international standards, enhancing packaging systems, and ensuring reliable logistics capable of reaching the Chinese market efficiently.
Marketing will also play a critical role. Entering a market as large as that of China requires strong promotion, regular participation in trade exhibitions, and partnerships with local distributors who understand Chinese consumer behaviour.
As for choosing between the Chinese and US markets, Al-Beheiry believes Egyptian exporters should avoid favouring one over the other and instead should pursue opportunities wherever demand exists, whether in the East or the West, and as long as Egyptian products can create added value for the local economy.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 14 May, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
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