Kenya Ditches US, Sides With China As Trade War Rages On
Kenya has joined the People’s Republic of China in opposing any form of Taiwanese independence as it attempts to strengthen its ties with the Asian country.
During President William Ruto’s four-day official state visit to China, Kenya reiterated its commitment to the one-China policy, which states that there is only one China in the world.
The policy is aimed at China’s total reunification, which includes the incorporation of Taiwan.
We will strengthen co-operation with China to confront our challenges and push for our shared success.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) April 24, 2025
In particular, we will upgrade our infrastructure to promote connectivity, hence facilitate trade in Kenya and within the region.
Thank you, Your Excellency President Xi… pic.twitter.com/TymTfIEKwy
“Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China principle and recognises that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China,” a joint statement from a high-level bilateral meeting read.
“Kenya resolutely opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’ and supports all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification,” it further added.
Kenya’s move offers a delicate dilemma because the United States, a major actor in Kenya’s socioeconomic and political life, is one of China’s main enemies and unofficially supports Taiwan.
Kenya will continue to balance its strategic engagement with the West (the United States, the European Union, and the World Bank) with its financial links with China.
Even though the United States adheres to the One China Policy, it maintains a strong unofficial relationship with Taiwan by providing military support to the island republic.
Kenya-China strategic partnership is permanent, people-centered, and continues to deliver practical, tangible, impactful, and sustainable win-win situations.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) April 24, 2025
At the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, President Xi Jinping, and I witnessed the signing of 20 trade agreements and… pic.twitter.com/0u8xCrsRon
Tensions between China and the United States are rising after US President Donald Trump put steep tariffs on Chinese goods as part of his aggressive ‘America first’ strategy.
China responded with retaliatory measures, vowing not to back down.
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This, in turn, has had a direct impact on global trade, with the economies of other developed and developing countries more vulnerable to shocks as the dispute over the global superpowers simmers on.
China conducted military drills near Taiwan’s north, south, and east coastlines earlier in April, issuing a harsh warning against separatism and referring to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te as a “parasite”.
The drill was the second in three years, as China sought to assert its dominance over the little nation.
In 2022, following US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China retaliated with an extraordinary show of force, conducting military maneuvers surrounding Taiwan in retribution.
Kenya Ditches US, Sides With China As Trade War Rages On
