- A CAUTION TO MIN. BAYSOLO NYANTI
As Liberia set to benefit from China’s newly implemented zero-tariff policy for African partners following high-level talks in Beijing held on May 19, 2026, where both countries agreed to deepen cooperation across trade, agriculture, infrastructure, and multilateral diplomacy, Liberia must begin to foster global dynamism that will bring more benefits to the nation-state especially in these sectors mentioned above.
China’s zero-tariff policy is a sweeping, unilateral trade initiative that eliminates import duties on all qualifying goods originating from 53 African nations with which Beijing shares diplomatic ties. Under this agreement, a comprehensive duty-free status which applies to 100% of tariff lines, covering agricultural produce, minerals, textiles, and manufactured goods must include the development of human capacity for sustainable development in a struggling environment like ours.
The meeting, held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, brought together Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti under the framework of the “China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.” is a golden opportunity Liberia has to directly miggle with the world highest economy in manufacturing and technology.
It is good that both sides described the engagement as a reaffirmation of a long-standing strategic partnership rooted in political trust, shared global experiences, and mutual support during major crises, including the Ebola outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic, Liberia, as a struggling economy must Tapp into china's preparedness to open up her doors to address some challenges Liberiais struggling with.
We believe there were central outcome and this central outcome of the talks was the confirmation that Liberia is among the first African countries to benefit from China’s zero-tariff treatment for nations with diplomatic relations, a boost to our bilateral agreement and partnership.
Wang Yi said the policy, announced by China's President Xi Jinping, is designed to expand trade opportunities and deepen economic cooperation between China and Africa, with Liberia being no exception.
In fat, Liberia is among the first countries to benefit from this measure, Wang Yi, China's Foreign Affairs Minister said.
With these inspiring commitments, it is believed that China stands ready to work with Liberia to make full and good use of the dividends of the zero-tariff policy, continuously upgrade the level of trade facilitation between China and Liberia and between China and Africa, and unleash the great potential of mutually beneficial cooperation, fine idea.
It is important to note and impressive to encourage that China and Liberia would move to expand cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, trade, youth development, health care, and human resource development, while China continues to provide development assistance within its capacity, Liberia must not only be recipient, but learning to actualize those dreams and interventions from the Chinese.
As Wang Yi framed the bilateral relationship in strong historical terms, emphasizing shared experiences in global health crises and modernization efforts, Liberia must demonstrate sincerity to encourage her government to promote youth development in technology and manufacturing.
It is a known fact that China and Liberia are friends and partners sharing weal and woe, noting that the two sides have fought shoulder to shoulder against major epidemics such as Ebola and COVID-19, and are moving forward hand in hand on the path to modernization, granted, but Liberia must put up a sincere posture of humility that will enable both parties benefit from these mechanisms on a 50-50 note.
Great, the Chinese has noted that political relations between Monrovia and Beijing have strengthened under President Xi Jinping and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, describing the relationship as having reached a new height of strategic partnership, we are left with the option to cultivate a sense of nationalism by forecasting the dividends of the future.
China also reiterated its support for Liberia’s sovereignty, its chosen development path, and adherence to the one-China principle.
This is why we do agreed with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, in her acceptance message when she welcomed China’s continued support and emphasized Liberia’s interest in leveraging the zero-tariff arrangement to expand economic opportunities, but it is important to be said that these agreements are meant to strengthen the partnership and create economic opportunities for Liberians, especially. They should not be taken for granted, especially by our leaders in charge of state diplomacy or foreign policy agenda.
As she rightly said that Liberia and China are strategic partners with shared ideals, and bilateral relations have continued to deepen under the guidance of the two heads of state. That is a good assertion, but Madam Minister, you need to demonstrate foresight and intuition to the level of advancing our national interest on a costs sharing note by pushing for manufacturing opportunities in Liberia
Eventhough, you reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to the one-China policy and respect for China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, noting that this position has been formally enshrined in domestic legislation, good, but mind you, your leadership is very selective when it comes to posting Foreign service officers in developed countries where you suppose to assign qualified graduates of the Foreign Service Institute, you allowed untrained family members and friends to represent Liberia. You have even refused to evaluate the performance of overstay ambassadors and Foreign Service Officers. You Ministry is ignoring those Liberians who are trained in economic diplomacy, knowing fully that the issue of job creation lies squarely on the sholders of Ambassadors and Officers in our Foreign Missions to attract investors for our country.
Eventhough you expressed gratitude for China’s assistance during Liberia’s development challenges and pandemic response, and highlighted Liberia’s interest in learning from China’s experience in poverty reduction, the question to you Madam Minister, what has your Ministry ever done to reduce poverty? Under your watch, your own diplomatic staff are not dignified as compared to other nations. Either salaries delay or can not commensurate with economic realities of receiving countries. The structure of Liberia’s embassies is deliberated, while some are understaffed.
Is that what you call poverty reduction, by following or learning from the Chinese example?
Nothing you doing there , Madam Minister, that is in line with how the Chinese have overcome poverty thirty years ago.
TO BE CONTINUE
