【By Observer Net, Chen Sijia】"We will not oppose the U.S. in Beijing, nor will we oppose China in Washington." According to a report by the Financial Times on October 8, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said in an interview in London, UK, that Zambia is a small country and cannot take sides between two major powers, China and the U.S., and he hopes that the trade disputes between the U.S. and China can be resolved as soon as possible.

Hichilema pointed out that on issues such as public health and global security, countries cannot "decouple" from each other, and major powers should take responsibility for maintaining an open international trade system, allowing small countries like Zambia to have the opportunity to freely export.

The U.S. has raised the tariff on Zambian goods exported to the U.S. to 15%, but has exempted various metals, including copper, Zambia's main export product. China continues to expand economic and trade cooperation with Africa. At the ministerial meeting of the coordination person for the implementation of the outcomes of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in June this year, China announced that it would implement a 100% tariff-free measure for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China.

Regarding Zambia's relations with China and the U.S., Hichilema told the Financial Times that he hopes the U.S. and China can resolve their trade disputes as soon as possible. "We are too small to be caught up in the arguments between the great powers. When we are in Beijing, we do not oppose Washington. When we are in Washington, we do not oppose Beijing."

Zambian President Hichilema IC photo

About one-third of Zambia's health budget depends on the U.S., most of which is used for HIV treatment, basic healthcare, and maternal and child health. After U.S. President Trump significantly cut foreign aid and closed the U.S. Agency for International Development, Zambia faced financial difficulties. In response, Hichilema said this gave Zambia an "opportunity for self-reliance."

Hichilema admitted that Zambia is currently "indeed suffering," and the U.S.'s sudden cut in aid disrupted the funding approved by the Zambian parliament, leaving his government little time to adjust. But he emphasized that Zambia must learn to be self-reliant, "this forces us to develop our economy and do what we should do."

He said, "This caused a shock. However, in the long run, it is good."

In the 2026 budget, the Zambian government increased medical spending by 13%, reaching 26.2 billion kwacha (approximately RMB 7.9 billion), accounting for 11% of total expenditure, still below the international commitment to increase health spending to 15%. The Zambian government also pledged to crack down on the theft of donated medicines and increased funds for purchasing medicines by 30%.

Hichilema told the Financial Times that his philosophy is "seeking growth," viewing it as a way to enhance the government's ability to spend on social programs. He revealed that Zambia defaulted on its debt in 2020, but has now repaid 94% of the overdue debt, which is an "important milestone."

As the debt crisis eases, Zambia's economy is expected to recover. The International Monetary Fund predicts that Zambia's economic growth may reach 6% this year, higher than last year's 4%. Hichilema also said that his government is committed to revitalizing the mining industry, and Zambia's mining industry has received billions of dollars in new funding.

He cited examples, saying that since 2023, the UAE International Resources Holding Company has invested $1.1 billion in Zambia's Mopani Copper Mine. Barrick Mining spent $2 billion to expand the Lumwana Copper Mine in Zambia. The Zambian government also lifted the tax on the Konkola Copper Mine operated by India's Vedanta Group in 2023, in exchange for the company's investment of $1 billion.

Since December 1, 2022, China has implemented zero tariffs on 98% of the tariff items of products originally from Zambia. On December 1, 2024, China granted Zambia a 100% tariff-free treatment for all tariff items.

In 2024, the trade volume between China and Zambia reached 6.681 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 26.1% compared to the previous year. Among them, China's import volume was 5.273 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 22.4%; China's export volume was 1.408 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 40.9%. China mainly imports copper, minerals, and wood products from Zambia, and exports motor vehicles, steel products, electronic products, etc., to Zambia.

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