A new zero-tariff policy on Tunisian exports to China came into effect in May 2026. 

China is Tunisia’s largest source of trade deficit, accounting for approximately 50.1% of the country’s total trade imbalance. 

This policy is likely to have greater relative impact on Tunisian agro-food exports than on industrial electrical exports, since food and edible oil products historically faced higher Chinese tariff barriers.

Foreign trade ratio: the ratio between the value of exports and imports between two countries or zones.  

Source: INS foreign trade data.  

China has started applying a custom duty exemption covering all goods from Tunisia, as part of their zero-tariff policy that applies on 53 African countries1. This is a special treatment only for a period of two years2. China views this tariffs exemption as part of China-Africa Economic Partnership and creating opportunities to boost industrialization in these countries3. In 2025, China was, Tunisia's first deficit partner with a negative trade balance of nearly 10 916,74 million dinars, about 50.1% of Tunisia's total trade deficit5. Tunisian exports to China are very limited and didn't exceed 77,8 million Dinar6 in 2025, with a coverage ratio around 0.7% which entails heavy financial burden to cover the difference. This means also tariff removal alone cannot suddenly reduce the persistent trade deficit with China along the years. 

In the short term, China's zero-tariff policy may modestly increase Tunisian exports by improving the competitiveness of products that previously faced higher tariff barriers, such as olive oil and some agricultural goods. However, its overall impact is likely to remain limited, as these products represent a small share of Tunisia's exports to China. 7 . 8 This policy alone is unlikely to drive a structural increase in Tunisian exports to China or increase the level of industrialization, as declared by the Chinese government, since most of the Tunisian exported goods are intermediate industrial goods like electrical machinery and equipment which already benefits from low or zero tariffs9. At the end to fully capitalize on this preferential market access, Tunisia needs a coherent industrial policy that strengthens manufacturing capacities and supports the production of higher- value products. Without such a strategy, the country is likely to remain an exporter of raw materials and intermediate goods and importers of high-value manufactured products, with limited progress toward higher-value production that could reduce the huge trade deficit.

1 Tunisian exports exempt from customs duties to China for two years

2 ibid

3 China implements historic zero tariffs for all African nations with diplomatic ties. China implements historic zero tariffs for all African nations with diplomatic ties 1.May 2026

4 the writer calculations based on the INS foreign trade data.

5 INS.  Commerce Extérieur à prix Courant. Décembre 2025.NoteComext_Annee_2025.pdf

6 INS Foreign Trade Data. Tunisia Data Portal, Data Analysis

7 Olive Oil exports to China doesn’t exceed 0.4% of total exports to it in 2025. Ibid

8 since food and edible oil products historically faced higher Chinese tariff barriers WTO Tariff & Trade Data | Data / IDB - Applied duties

9 WTO Tariff & Trade Data | Data / IDB - Applied duties