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How Kenya outwitted US, China to clinch dual trade deals

By The Standard January 20, 2026

Source: The Standard

How Kenya outwitted US, China to clinch dual trade deals

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, western Japan on June 29, 2019.[AP]

In a calculated display of economic statecraft, Kenya played the United States and China against each other last week, announcing it had secured pivotal trade concessions from both rival superpowers within a critical 48-hour window to protect its core exports and unlock new markets.Get Full Access for Ksh299/WeekFact‑first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full access.Unlock Full AccessUnlimited access to all premium contentUninterrupted ad-free browsing experienceMobile-optimized reading experienceWeekly NewslettersMPesa, Airtel Money and Cards acceptedAlready a subscriber?Log in

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