Ruto defends China trade deals amid US concerns
President William Ruto has addressed a move by the United States to review Kenya’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA), saying his foreign policy choices are based on what is best for the nation.
His remarks come after the US decided to maintain Kenya’s status as a Major Non-NATO Ally, a designation that comes with strategic defence and trade benefits.
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Speaking during the Presidential Private Sector Roundtable event held in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Ruto defended Kenya’s growing trade ties with countries such as China, stating that his administration is focused on unlocking new markets to benefit local producers and correcting long-standing trade disparities.
“It is what I must do for Kenya. It’s in the best interest of Kenya that we get into this market. That is the right thing to do,” Ruto asserted.
The Head of State admitted that some traditional allies have questioned Kenya’s expanding trade with China, but insisted that his decisions are driven by Kenya’s economic needs.
“Some of our friends are complaining that we are doing too much trade with China. When I sat with President Xi Jinping, I told him Kenya is importing 600 billion shillings of products from China, yet we are only exporting maybe 5 per cent. That trade imbalance is serious,” Ruto stated.
Ruto explained that as a result, China agreed to open its market for Kenyan agricultural products.
He emphasised that Kenya is not turning away from traditional partners, but rather broadening its economic options.
Kenya-Non-NATO status
The status was conferred on Kenya in early 2025, signalling what many saw as growing diplomatic and strategic alignment with the U.S.
The current US Congressional review, spearheaded by Senator Jim Risch, chairperson of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stems from multiple concerns.
A primary focus is on assessing whether American intelligence and military support have been implicated in actions against civilians. These include abductions, torture, or violence.
Kenya’s perceived global alignments remain a key factor shaping U.S. congressional scrutiny. Senator Risch’s amendment places particular focus on Nairobi’s military, political, and financial ties with countries such as China, Russia, and Iran.
Adding to the concern is the lingering uncertainty over Kenya’s pledged deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti, a mission the U.S. has strongly supported but which remains in limbo.
Together, these issues highlight the conditional nature of Kenya’s Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) designation, which hinges on alignment with U.S. national interests.
There is an underlying expectation that MNNA partners will, at a minimum, orient their foreign policy in a manner consistent with broader U.S. strategic priorities.
