Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a suspension of tariffs on goods imported from the United States, aiming to foster a “positive relationship” with President Donald Trump’s administration.
This announcement follows Trump’s recent implementation of an 18% tariff on Zimbabwean exports to the US.
“This initiative is designed to enhance the presence of American imports in the Zimbabwean market while also encouraging the growth of Zimbabwean exports to the United States,” Mnangagwa stated on X.
Diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and the US have been tense for approximately 25 years, primarily due to Zimbabwe’s controversial land reform policy and its poor human rights record.
According to US government data, trade between the two nations reached only $111.6 million (£86.6 million) in 2024. The US exported goods valued at $43.8 million to Zimbabwe in 2024, marking a 10.6% increase from the previous year, while imports from Zimbabwe fell by 41% to $67.8 million.
Political analyst Tendai Mbanje expressed to AFP that this decision is unlikely to yield significant economic advantages for Zimbabwe, suggesting it would primarily benefit the US.
Hopewell Chin’ono, a well-known journalist and government critic in Zimbabwe, remarked that the president seems to be attempting to “appease” the Trump administration.
Mnangagwa may be hoping for the lifting of sanctions imposed on him, but Chin’ono described this as a “long shot” in his comments on X.
The US first enacted sanctions against Zimbabwe’s government during Robert Mugabe’s tenure, following the introduction of a land reform program in 2000 that resulted in the confiscation of white-owned farms and the suppression of opposition groups.
In 2024, the Biden administration in the United States lifted previous sanctions, opting instead for targeted measures against 11 individuals, including Mnangagwa, due to concerns over “democratic backsliding, human rights violations, and governmental corruption.”
Mnangagwa has consistently refuted these claims, labeling the sanctions as “illegal and unjustified.”
In his announcement regarding the suspension of tariffs on US imports, he emphasized Zimbabwe’s commitment to “building friendly relations with all countries and avoiding adversarial ties.”
“This decision highlights our dedication to a framework of fair trade and improved bilateral collaboration,” he stated.
Chin’ono pointed out that as the current chairman of the regional bloc Sadc, Mnangagwa should be working towards a unified response to the US rather than taking independent action.
“When nations encounter global economic changes, coordinated efforts provide greater leverage and stability,” he remarked.
Lesotho, another southern African nation, faced a 50% tariff, the highest among those listed by Trump on Wednesday.
The Lesotho government announced plans to send a delegation to the US for negotiations on a new agreement and to explore alternative markets for its products.
