In a move aimed at boosting trade relations, 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 just days after the U.S. imposed an 18 percent tariff on goods from Zimbabwe, a step that escalated trade tensions between the two nations.
Mnangagwa’s declaration, shared on his social media platform X, emphasized the government’s intention to promote the growth of Zimbabwean exports to the U.S. and facilitate an increased flow of American goods into the Zimbabwean market. The country, which is rich in natural resources, has traditionally maintained strong trade ties with the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and China, but exports to the U.S. are limited, mainly consisting of tobacco and sugar.
The total goods trade between Zimbabwe and the U.S. amounted to $111.6 million in 2024, according to data from the U.S. government. Despite the modest trade volume, Mnangagwa’s announcement is seen as part of a broader strategy to diversify Zimbabwe’s international trade relationships. The move is also viewed as an attempt to ease economic pressures following years of strained relations with Western powers, especially after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe’s previous president, Robert Mugabe, and continued under President Mnangagwa.
Zimbabwe has long criticized the U.S. sanctions, which were first implemented in the early 2000s, arguing that they have contributed to the country’s economic struggles. In response, the country shifted its focus towards strengthening ties with China and the UAE, which have become crucial partners in Zimbabwe’s efforts to address its economic challenges. While the U.S. lifted its broad sanctions against Zimbabwe last year, it maintained targeted measures against Mnangagwa and other senior government officials, citing human rights abuses and corruption.
Mnangagwa has repeatedly called these sanctions “illegal and unjustified,” a stance that was reiterated following the imposition of the latest tariffs by the Trump administration. The suspension of tariffs on U.S. imports may also be seen as a calculated move to improve Zimbabwe’s standing with the U.S. and perhaps to open the door for a possible rollback of the sanctions.
However, not everyone is in favor of the move. Hopewell Chin’ono, a prominent journalist and activist, has criticized the decision as a “knee-jerk reaction,” suggesting that it could be an attempt to secure the removal of U.S. sanctions. Chin’ono also expressed concerns that the unilateral action could undermine regional economic cooperation, particularly within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He raised questions about whether Zimbabwe’s exports to the U.S. are significant enough to warrant such a gesture, especially when considering the interests of Zimbabwe’s primary trade partners.
As the political and economic landscape evolves, Zimbabwe’s approach to international trade will remain under close scrutiny, with many watching to see whether this suspension will lead to tangible benefits for the country’s economy.
