The Kenyan government has moved swiftly to dispel rumors that it is freezing a major trade agreement with China to appease Washington. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei termed reports of a diplomatic standoff as "completely unfounded," insisting that Nairobi is pursuing a "multi-vector" trade strategy that accommodates both East and West.

Speculation had been rife that President Ruto’s administration put the "Early Harvest" deal with Beijing on ice to secure the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) from the United States. The AGOA pact, a lifeline for Kenya’s textile industry, was extended by the US House of Representatives this week, fueling theories of a quid pro quo.

The "Early Harvest" Reality

PS Sing’Oei clarified that negotiations with China were effectively concluded on December 19, 2025. The deal, designed to eliminate tariffs on Kenyan avocados, tea, and coffee entering the massive Chinese market, is now in the technical ratification stage. "We have exchanged tariff schedules and rules of origin. There is no delay; there is only due process," he stated.

The denial highlights Kenya’s delicate balancing act. As a "non-NATO ally" of the US and a key Belt and Road partner for China, Nairobi is walking a geopolitical tightrope. The US has openly expressed concern about China’s growing influence in Africa’s digital and infrastructure sectors, but Kenya maintains it needs both partners to thrive.

• The Stakes: A trade deal with China offers a buffer against the volatility of western markets. With AGOA’s future always subject to US congressional whims, diversifying exports to the East is an economic imperative for Kenyan farmers.
• AGOA Secured: The extension of AGOA to 2028 is a massive relief for the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in Athi River and Mombasa, which employ over 66,000 people. Losing this access would have been catastrophic for the manufacturing sector.

Sovereignty First

"We do not trade with one partner at the exclusion of another," Sing’Oei emphasized. This assertive neutrality is the hallmark of Ruto’s foreign policy. By locking in the AGOA extension while finalizing the China pact, Kenya attempts to eat its cake and have it too—leveraging its strategic importance to extract maximum value from both superpowers.