In a surprising move aimed at easing trade relations, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Saturday the suspension of all tariffs on goods imported from the United States. This follows a recent decision by former US President Donald Trump to impose 18 per cent tariffs on goods from the southern African nation.
Mnangagwa made the announcement via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating that the measure is “intended to facilitate the expansion of American imports within the Zimbabwean market, while simultaneously promoting the growth of Zimbabwean exports destined for the United States.”
Despite the gesture, Zimbabwe’s trade with the US remains minimal. According to US government data, total goods trade between both countries amounted to just $111.6 million in 2024. Zimbabwe’s key exports to the US include tobacco and sugar, while its main trading partners remain South Africa, China, and the United Arab Emirates.
The decision marks a notable shift in Zimbabwe’s economic strategy, especially as the country has long blamed Western sanctions—particularly those imposed by Washington since the early 2000s—for its enduring economic crisis.
Last year, the US scrapped its broad sanctions programme against Zimbabwe but introduced targeted measures against Mnangagwa and senior government officials over allegations of human rights abuses and corruption. Mnangagwa condemned the new sanctions, calling them “illegal and unjustified.”
Critics have questioned the rationale behind the president’s latest move. Prominent journalist and activist Hopewell Chin’ono described the tariff suspension as a “knee-jerk reaction,” suggesting it may be an attempt to curry favour with the Trump administration and push for sanctions relief.
“Acting unilaterally contradicts the principles of regional economic cooperation,” Chin’ono posted on X, warning that it could isolate Zimbabwe from key allies within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He further questioned whether Zimbabwe exports enough to the US to justify such a move.
As the country continues to navigate a difficult economic landscape, observers say the government will need to balance international diplomacy with regional trade commitments and long-term development goals.
