TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A decision by China to scrap tariffs on the import of goods from all African countries except Eswatini will have a limited impact on Taiwan’s ally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) is scheduled to visit Taiwan’s sole diplomatic ally in Africa April 22-27. King Mswati III invited Lai to attend celebrations for his 58th birthday and for the 40th anniversary of his coronation.

Speaking at the Legislative Yuan Wednesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi (陳明祺) said the impact of the Chinese measure on Eswatini’s economy would be negligible — mostly psychological, per CNA. He said Lai’s visit would make clear Taiwan’s intention to provide economic assistance to the landlocked African country.

The president and the king will sign a joint declaration, watch the foreign ministers sign a bilateral customs assistance agreement, and hear reports about a Taiwan innovation park and a strategic oil storage tank for Eswatini, Chen said. Taiwan’s important tasks were to help the African ally export its products to Taiwan and to other African countries, according to the deputy minister.

Lai is planning to fly straight from Taiwan to Eswatini without interruptions to the 13-hour journey, Chen said. He was responding to lawmakers asking whether the president had any plans for a stopover in a third country.