Venezuelan stall at the Shanghai Expo 2025, Shanghai, China. Photo: EFE.
Venezuela and China are discussing a trade agreement that includes tariff exemptions for 400 products, Venezuelan Deputy Minister for Foreign Trade Coromoto Godoy announced.
On Wednesday, November 5, in an interview on the Venezuelan state channel VTV, from the Shanghai Expo 2025 in China, the deputy minister explained that the agreement is aimed at consolidating and expanding trade ties between the two countries as part of the All-Weather Strategic Partnership between China and Venezuela.
“We are presenting a very important agreement proposal that covers around 400 tariff codes that would be subject to zero tariffs, and in return, China would request a similar number of tariffs to be exempted,” Godoy said.
She reported that negotiations began in March following the visit of Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to Beijing. She further noted that it is expected that the agreement will be implemented by the first quarter of 2026, reaffirming the Venezuelan government’s commitment to protecting national industries and securing the best possible deal for Venezuelan products.
Godoy also highlighted the good bilateral relations between Venezuela and China, noting that this “meeting is an expression of that strategic alliance. Today, 42 Venezuelan companies are representing the country in China at a world-class trade fair.”
On Wednesday, a delegation from the Venezuelan government, headed by Godoy, held a meeting with Venezuelan business leaders to promote export diversification. Among the products under discussion are mung beans, shrimp, blue crab, and other agroindustry items.
Entrepreneur Deivis Graterol stated that the goal is to establish a trade bridge that would boost exports of Venezuelan products. Under this premise, products such as cocoa, coffee, and beans may be of interest in the Chinese market due to the country’s large consumption capacity.
On October 30, the governments of Venezuela and China signed an agreement at the International Fisheries and Seafood Fair with the aim of promoting joint projects in the fishing and aquaculture sectors.
Regarding the bilateral trade relations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that “China’s cooperation with Venezuela constitutes cooperation between sovereign states not directed against any third party.” The statement was crafted in response to Western imperialist accusations that frequently target President Nicolás Maduro for seeking assistance from Russia, China, and Iran to defend Venezuela from US economic warfare and military attacks.
The Shanghai Expo 2025 has provided a platform for representatives of the Venezuelan private sector to showcase their exportable products, with the potential to generate new opportunities for domestic production and strengthen commercial ties with China.
(Telesur)
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/SC/SL
