The assessment comes after China announced last month that it would expand tax-free access for all taxable products in 53 African countries. Beijing's move is in stark contrast to Washington's trade tariffs, aid cuts and collection of restrictive visa measures.
The policy comes amid the threat of shutting down USAID and reducing foreign aid by imposing visa restrictions on countries including Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria and Somalia. Starting August 1, the US is also planning to impose higher mutual tariffs on imports from countries such as Algeria, Libya, South Africa and Tunisia.
Observers said the tax-free plan is a big narrative victory for China. The move is likely to further adore Beijing to African countries that view China as a more reliable and beneficial partner.
Cameron Hudson, a former US employee and senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies, said what was even more troubling was that Washington believed that aid and humanitarian help to Africa could buy goodwill so that they could pursue any policy it wanted.
However, this has not been the case for a long time, he pointed out.
