South Africa is scrambling to boost trade with China after the US slapped a steep 30% tariff on its exports starting August 1. A top-level team led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile just wrapped up a week in Beijing, pitching Chinese investors on everything from electric vehicles to medicine. The goal? To shift away from relying so much on raw material exports and close the gap in what China buys from them versus what South Africa imports.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about dodging US tariffs—it’s a long-term play. South Africa’s economy has been stuck in a cycle of shipping out minerals and buying back finished goods, which keeps profits thin. By pushing into higher-value exports like pharmaceuticals and green tech, they’re trying to future-proof their trade relationships. But China’s no easy market to crack, especially when everyone’s eyeing it as an alternative to shaky Western demand.