Kenyan President Ruto Defends China Trade Amid US Senate MNNA Review

President William Ruto has strongly defended Kenya's deepening trade relations with China, emphasizing that the partnership is driven by economic interests rather than ideological alignment. China has agreed to remove all tariffs on key Kenyan agricultural exports such as tea, coffee, and avocados, marking a significant breakthrough that opens the vast Chinese market to Kenyan products. This development comes amid concerns and criticism from some Western allies, particularly the United States, where Senator James Risch has proposed a review of Kenya's Major Non-NATO Ally status due to its growing ties with China and other U.S. adversaries. Ruto acknowledged the trade imbalance between Kenya and China but highlighted ongoing efforts to negotiate reciprocal agreements to address this issue. Despite tensions with traditional Western partners, Ruto emphasized that expanding Kenya's trade horizons to include China, India, Turkey, and Canada is essential for the country's economic growth and diversification. The legal frameworks for these trade deals are expected to be finalized soon, enabling Kenyan exporters to benefit from duty-free access to new markets.