China and Africa Trade

Introduction

China now lets most African countries sell goods to China without paying taxes. This started on May 1. Eswatini cannot do this because China and Eswatini do not talk.

Main Body

China wants to be a good friend to African leaders. They want Africa to trade with China instead of the USA. But most African goods were already free. Only a few countries will make more money. Some countries sell oil and minerals to China. Now, some countries can sell fruit and wine too. But it is still hard to sell these things. China has very strict rules about health and safety for food. China wants a steady supply of minerals for batteries. They also want Chinese companies to build things in Africa. Right now, Africa sells raw materials and buys finished products from China. This is not equal.

Conclusion

This plan helps African countries. But Africa must build its own factories to make the plan work better.

Learning

πŸ“¦ The 'Thing' Pattern: Raw vs. Finished

In this text, we see a big difference between two types of products. This is a great way to learn how to describe objects at an A2 level.

1. Raw Materials (Nature β†’\rightarrow Market) These are things that come from the ground. They are not 'made' yet.

  • Oil
  • Minerals
  • Fruit

2. Finished Products (Factory β†’\rightarrow Market) These are things that people make using the raw materials.

  • Batteries (Made from minerals)
  • Finished products (General term for a completed item)

πŸ’‘ Simple Logic: 'Instead of'

Look at this sentence: "They want Africa to trade with China instead of the USA."

Use instead of when you have two choices, but you pick one and reject the other.

  • I want tea instead of coffee.
  • We will walk instead of taking the bus.

πŸ› οΈ Word Power: The 'Action' of Trade

WordSimple Meaning
SellGive something β†’\rightarrow Get money
BuyGive money β†’\rightarrow Get something
SupplyTo give a lot of something regularly

Vocabulary Learning

trade
to buy, sell, or exchange goods or services
Example:China and Africa trade many products with each other.
sell
to give something in exchange for money
Example:Some African countries sell oil and minerals to China.
goods
products that can be bought or sold
Example:The Chinese market buys goods from Africa.
taxes
money that people pay to the government
Example:China now lets most African countries sell goods without paying taxes.
talk
to have a conversation
Example:Eswatini cannot do this because China and Eswatini do not talk.
friend
a person who is supportive and helpful
Example:China wants to be a good friend to African leaders.
leaders
people who guide or direct others
Example:African leaders decide whether to trade with China or the USA.
free
not costing money or not restricted
Example:Most African goods were already free.
money
the currency used to buy things
Example:Only a few countries will make more money by selling more products.
oil
a liquid used for fuel or cooking
Example:Some countries sell oil to China.
minerals
natural substances found in the earth
Example:China wants a steady supply of minerals for batteries.
fruit
edible part of a plant that grows on a tree or bush
Example:Now, some countries can sell fruit and wine too.
wine
a drink made from fermented grapes
Example:The Chinese market also buys wine from Africa.
rules
instructions that tell people what they must or must not do
Example:China has very strict rules about health and safety for food.
health
the state of being free from illness or injury
Example:The rules help keep food safe for your health.
safety
the condition of being protected from danger or harm
Example:The safety of food is very important to China.
food
anything that can be eaten
Example:China wants to import safe food from Africa.
steady
constant and reliable
Example:China needs a steady supply of minerals.
supply
the amount of something that is available
Example:The supply of minerals helps China build batteries.
companies
businesses that produce or sell goods or services
Example:Chinese companies build new factories in Africa.