Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced a suspension of tariffs on goods imported from the United States, framing it as a goodwill gesture aimed at repairing ties with President Donald Trump’s administration.
The announcement, made on X (formerly Twitter), comes just days after Washington slapped an 18 percent tariff on Zimbabwean exports. The decision, Mnangagwa said, 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’.
According to a report by the BBC, trade between the two nations remains modest—totalling just $111.6 million in 2024—with US exports to Zimbabwe rising 10.6 percent to $43.8 million, while Zimbabwean imports into the US dropped by 41 percent to $67.8 million.
A history of strained US-Zimbabwe ties
Relations between Harare and Washington have been rocky for more than two decades. Tensions began in the early 2000s under former president Robert Mugabe, when Zimbabwe implemented a controversial land reform programme that led to the seizure of white-owned farms and drew global condemnation.
The fallout included sweeping sanctions imposed by the US, citing human rights violations and political repression. While the Biden administration formally ended those broad measures in 2024, targeted sanctions remain in place against 11 individuals—including Mnangagwa himself—for alleged corruption and democratic backsliding.
Mnangagwa has long rejected those accusations, calling the sanctions ‘illegal and unjustified’.
Analysts say US, not Zimbabwe, stands to gain
Despite the diplomatic overture, local analysts question whether Mnangagwa’s tariff waiver will deliver any real economic value for Zimbabwe. Political analyst Tendai Mbanje told the BBC that the decision will likely benefit the US more than Zimbabwe, given the trade imbalance and limited export volume.
Award-winning Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, a vocal government critic, echoed that view. He said Mnangagwa appeared to be trying to ‘appease’ the Trump administration in the hope of seeing his individual sanctions lifted. But, he cautioned, ‘that’s a long shot’.
On X, Chin’ono further argued that as chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Mnangagwa should be rallying a regional response instead of acting alone. ‘When countries face global economic shifts, coordinated responses offer better leverage and stability,’ he wrote.
Broader regional concerns over Trump’s trade moves
Zimbabwe is not alone in facing the impact of Trump’s latest trade measures. Lesotho, another southern African country, was hit with a steep 50 percent tariff—among the highest in the newly announced list. In response, its government has pledged to send a delegation to Washington and explore alternative markets.
Trade experts warn that Trump’s tariff decisions could undermine the foundations of longstanding US-Africa trade ties, including initiatives like AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), which have benefited numerous African economies for years.
Still, Mnangagwa insists Zimbabwe remains committed to positive diplomatic and commercial relations. ‘Our focus is on fostering amicable relations with all nations, and cultivating adversarial relationships with none,’ he posted.
‘This action underscores our commitment to a framework of equitable trade and enhanced bilateral cooperation,’ he added.
Credit: Africabriefing
