Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Saturday that the country would suspend all tariffs on goods imported from the United States. This decision comes days after former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 18 percent tariffs on Zimbabwean exports. The move is part of Zimbabwe’s broader strategy to improve its trade relations with the U.S. while bolstering its own exports to the American market.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mnangagwa explained that the suspension of tariffs would facilitate the expansion of American imports in Zimbabwe and simultaneously encourage growth in Zimbabwean exports to the United States. According to U.S. government data, trade between the two nations amounted to $111.6 million in 2024, with Zimbabwe’s primary exports to the U.S. being tobacco and sugar.
Historically, the relationship between Zimbabwe and the U.S. has been fraught with tension, especially following the early 2000s, when the U.S. imposed sanctions on the regime of former President Robert Mugabe. These sanctions were linked to concerns over human rights abuses and political repression. Despite the lifting of the broader sanctions last year, the U.S. has maintained targeted sanctions on Mnangagwa and other senior Zimbabwean officials, citing continued corruption and human rights violations.
The suspension of tariffs is seen by some observers as a potential effort by Mnangagwa to appease the U.S. and have sanctions lifted. However, critics argue that it could be a hasty move with unintended consequences. Prominent journalist and activist Hopewell Chin’ono described the announcement as a “knee-jerk reaction,” suggesting it risks undermining regional economic cooperation within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and sidelining Zimbabwe’s more significant trade partners, such as China and the United Arab Emirates.
Ultimately, while the tariff suspension could lead to short-term gains in trade, it remains to be seen whether it will help Zimbabwe secure lasting economic benefits or a shift in the political dynamics between the two nations.
