Dominican Republic bets on stronger trade ties with China

The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mirex) has emphasised a strategy of closer commercial engagement with Beijing as a pathway toward “shared development.”

At a trade expo in Santo Domingo showcasing around 40 Chinese companies, Carlos Hernández, Director of International Cooperation at Mirex, highlighted the event as a platform for “transformative, sustainable projects” to benefit both nations. During his remarks, Hernández said he was confident the outcomes would strengthen the long-term ties between the two economies.

Statistics from the Dominican export promotion agency, ProDominicana, showcase the growing footprint: between January and August 2025, the Dominican Republic exported some US$207.7 million worth of goods to China. ProDominicana views that volume as evidence both of the country’s competitive offering and China’s importance as a key trading partner in its export diversification plan for 2020–2030.

China’s diplomatic mission in the DR reaffirmed its commitment to increased cooperation, pledging to support more business linkages between the nations. Zhou Yuqi, Charge d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy, said these efforts would expand “in breadth and depth,” yielding more tangible benefits for both peoples.

However, not all voices are convinced. The Dominican Federation of Merchants has raised concerns over potential unfair competition from small Chinese-owned firms, accusing some of tax evasion. In response, a Chinese-Dominican business leader dismissed those claims as misleading, saying most Chinese-owned ventures contribute fully to the tax system.