China zero-tariff policy boosts Morocco trade at Casablanca expo

Tuesday 09 June 2026 - 14:06

By: Dakir Madiha

China zero-tariff policy boosts Morocco trade at Casablanca expo

Trade between China and Morocco is entering a new phase as both countries prepare to deepen economic cooperation under a widening network of industrial and commercial exchanges. A major China-Africa economic and trade exhibition is scheduled to take place in Casablanca from June 10 to June 12, bringing Chinese manufacturers and African partners together under a framework that promotes long-term supply chain integration.

The event will gather more than 200 Chinese companies across sectors including technology, agri-food, automotive parts, consumer goods, and energy equipment. It marks the first time the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo is held on African soil since its launch in 2019. The Casablanca session is also the first large-scale overseas trade initiative linked to China’s Hunan province following the implementation of a zero-tariff policy covering 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing.

Bilateral trade between China and Morocco reached $10.96 billion in 2025, up from $9.04 billion the previous year. Chinese exports accounted for $9.88 billion, while Moroccan exports to China stood at $1.08 billion, reflecting a persistent imbalance in commercial flows. The zero-tariff framework is designed to expand African exports into the Chinese market and reduce structural trade gaps that have widened over the past decade.

Morocco is positioning itself as a key entry point for Chinese investment in Africa. Industrial projects linked to Chinese firms are expanding in automotive manufacturing, electric vehicle batteries, and infrastructure. Investments in the Mohammed VI Tangier Tech City involve dozens of companies, with total commitments estimated at around $3.5 billion. Several facilities under construction are expected to generate thousands of jobs and strengthen Morocco’s role in global industrial supply chains.

The country’s natural resource base is also becoming central to cooperation. Morocco controls more than 90 percent of global argan oil production and holds significant phosphate, cobalt, and lithium reserves. These resources are increasingly tied to global demand for battery materials and renewable energy technologies, sectors where Chinese industrial capacity plays a major role.

Trade expansion is unfolding alongside broader geopolitical tensions over industrial policy and trade protectionism. The United States has adopted sweeping tariff measures under President Donald Trump, reshaping global trade routes and pushing countries like Morocco to diversify economic partnerships. European officials have also expressed concern about the scale of Chinese investment flowing into North Africa, warning of risks linked to industrial overcapacity and supply chain dependency.

Morocco’s diplomatic strategy reflects an effort to balance multiple economic alliances while maintaining its position as a regional gateway for trade between Africa, Europe, and Asia. The China-Africa expo in Casablanca highlights this shift toward deeper integration with Asian markets at a time when global trade fragmentation continues to intensify.