Kenya President Ruto answers the US on Kenya-China ties amid probe
President William Ruto has defended Kenya’s growing trade ties with China, saying they are in the country’s best interest, and dismissed criticism from the United States as unfair interference.
Speaking at a Presidential Private Sector Roundtable, Ruto said: “Some of our friends are complaining that we are doing too much trade with China… but it is what I must do for Kenya. It’s in the best interest of Kenya that we get into this (China) market.”
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The President explained that Kenya had secured a key deal with China to lift tariffs on agricultural exports, including tea, coffee, and avocados, calling it “a breakthrough.”
He was responding to a push led by U.S. Senator Jim Risch for Washington to review Kenya’s Major Non-NATO Ally status due to deepening relations with China and alleged links to armed groups.
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“When I sat with President Xi, I had a very candid conversation, and I told him that Kenya is importing Sh600 billion worth of products from China, yet we are only exporting maybe Sh300 billion.
That trade imbalance is serious, and that is the reason why they have opened up their market for our agricultural products. That is good for Kenya, and that is the right thing to do,” Ruto said.
Despite criticism, Ruto noted that Kenya still values its relationship with the U.S. through bilateral agreements and frameworks, such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
