Kenyan President William Ruto has positioned Nairobi as a potential mediator between the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies, amid escalating trade tensions.
During a state visit to Beijing, Ruto highlighted Kenya’s unique diplomatic advantage, referencing his historic May 2024 state visit to Washington, D.C. — the first African state visit to the U.S. in 15 years.
Speaking alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping, Ruto suggested that Kenya could serve as a vital bridge between East and West in a time of deepening global divisions.
“This visit, the first African state visit to China this year, mirrors my trip to the United States,” Ruto said. “Perhaps symbolically, Kenya can act as a link between East and West, North and South, at a time when geopolitical tensions continue to rise.”
The call for dialogue comes amid a sharpening trade conflict. China recently raised tariffs on American goods to 125%, following Washington’s decision under President Donald Trump to increase tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%.
In his remarks, Ruto encouraged China to deepen its engagement with Africa, calling for a new foundation of multilateralism built on trust and shared interests. “Let this be our legacy — that China and Africa, through partnership and vision, help lay the foundation for a 21st-century multilateralism that serves all of humanity,” he urged.
Ruto also emphasized Africa’s strategic importance in the coming decades. With Africa projected to supply a quarter of the global workforce by 2050, he argued that investments should target the continent’s youthful population.
“If the first half of this century belonged to China, the second half belongs to Africa,” Ruto stated. He called for greater capital flows into Africa to harness its demographic advantage.
Turning to global governance, Ruto advocated for a reformed United Nations Security Council to better reflect the current international landscape.
He proposed that each region — America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Africa — should be allocated three permanent seats, expanding the Council from five to twelve permanent members.
“Europe already holds three seats through France, the United Kingdom, and Russia,” he pointed out. “It is only fair that other regions are equally represented.”
The UN Security Council currently includes five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States — along with ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
Ruto’s remarks underline a growing push from African leaders for a more balanced and inclusive global order.
Source:https://thekenyatimes.com/latest-kenya-times-news/ruto-offers-to-serve-as-mediator-between-us-and-china/
