Bangladesh, Feb. 9 -- Kenyas newly signed preliminary bilateral trade agreement with China, granting zero-duty market access to 98.2 percent of Kenyan exports, marks more than a commercial breakthrough. It reflects a deeper recalibration of Africas trade diplomacy at a time when global economic alliances are increasingly shaped by tariffs, geopolitical competition, and competing development models.

The agreement follows Chinas landmark announcement in June last year that it would eliminate tariffs on nearly all imports-covering between 98 and 100 percent of tariff lines-from 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing. By extending duty-free access beyond least developed countries to include middle-income economi...