China to offer ‘tariff-free trade to Afghanistan’

China has announced that it will grant the Afghan Taliban tariff-free access to its consumer, energy, and construction sectors. This move comes as China seeks to strengthen its relations with the Taliban, which has been in power in Afghanistan since 2021. Despite not formally recognizing the Taliban government, China sees an opportunity to benefit from Afghanistan’s mineral resources while helping the Taliban’s struggling economy. Chinese companies are already operating in Afghanistan, and discussions are underway for projects such as a large copper mine. Additionally, Afghanistan has expressed interest in joining China’s Belt and Road initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. This development could provide much-needed revenue for the Taliban and potentially boost economic growth in Afghanistan.