Kenya in China talks as US partnership hangs in balance

Kenya has launched high-level negotiations with China aimed at recalibrating its trade strategy, as the country faces mounting uncertainty over its partnership with the United States and the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed a Kenyan delegation is in China under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework to push for a preferential trade deal that could expand market access for Kenyan exports.

"This is critical for us, critical for Africa, bearing in mind the volatility we are seeing in the global trading arena," Mudavadi said on Monday during a reception that marked the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Chinese embassy in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

For two decades, AGOA has provided duty-free access for Kenyan exports, particularly textiles and apparel, to the US.

However, exporters are facing an uncertain future as the pact was set to expire on Tuesday, with Washington offering little clarity on its renewal.

The recent imposition of 10 percent tariffs on some Kenyan goods has heightened pressure on government to diversify trade partnerships.

Mudavadi has termed China's preferential trade policy with African countries as a turning point and an opportunity for countries on the continent to move away from aid dependency towards sustainable, reciprocal trade, while strengthening regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area.

He encouraged other African countries to take advantage of the timely policy in order to realize a predictable, reliable and consistent trade arrangement.

"It is upon us, both individually and collectively, to take more seriously any opportunities of consolidating trade arrangements with our developing partners," Mudavadi said.

China's Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan hailed the East African country as a trusted partner of Beijing and reaffirmed China's commitment to strengthening cooperation.

Guo pointed to Beijing's decision to expand zero-tariff treatment for African nations, including Kenya, as a demonstration of China's long-term commitment to shared prosperity.