China offers Taliban tariff-free trade, inching closer to isolated, resource-rich regime.

China’s envoy to Afghanistan revealed that China will provide the Taliban with tariff-free access to its construction, energy, and consumer sectors. This move comes as the Taliban seeks to strengthen its markets and economy with the help of Beijing.

Despite international concerns over the Taliban’s human rights record, China has been looking to bolster its ties with the regime since they took control of Afghanistan. By tapping into Afghanistan’s rich mineral resources, China aims to secure its own supply chain and support the Taliban’s struggling economy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a zero-tariff treatment for goods entering China from certain countries, including those with diplomatic relations with China. This policy further solidifies China’s support for the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan.

As the Taliban looks for foreign investors to expand and diversify its economy, China’s involvement in the country’s mining and infrastructure sectors is set to grow. With Chinese companies already operating in Afghanistan, the partnership between China and the Taliban is poised to develop further in the coming years.

By offering tariff-free access and supporting infrastructure projects, China aims to strengthen its influence in Afghanistan while aiding the Taliban in rebuilding its shattered economy.