Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, announced on Saturday that the country will suspend all tariffs on goods imported from the United States, following the imposition of 18% tariffs by US President Donald Trump just days earlier.
In a post on X, Mnangagwa explained that the suspension is aimed at boosting American imports into Zimbabwe while fostering the growth of Zimbabwean exports to the US. “This decision is meant to facilitate the expansion of American goods in the Zimbabwean market,” he stated, emphasizing the potential benefits for both countries.
The trade relationship between the two nations was valued at $111.6 million in 2024, largely consisting of tobacco and sugar exports from Zimbabwe. Despite the suspension, Zimbabwe’s primary trading partners remain the UAE, South Africa, and China, and the US has historically been a secondary partner.
Mnangagwa’s move comes amid a complex relationship with the US, which has long imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe over human rights concerns, especially during the rule of former President Robert Mugabe. Last year, the US lifted its blanket sanctions but retained targeted measures against Mnangagwa and other senior officials due to ongoing allegations of corruption and rights abuses.
Critics, however, are questioning the wisdom of this tariff suspension. Tendai Mbanje, a political analyst, warned that this unilateral action could alienate Zimbabwe from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a 16-nation bloc it currently chairs. The decision, he argued, might not bring significant economic benefits to Zimbabwe but could instead strengthen US economic dominance.
Journalist and activist Hopewell Chin’ono also expressed skepticism, calling the decision a “knee-jerk reaction” that may be an attempt by Mnangagwa to appease the US and have sanctions removed. He cautioned that this could expose Zimbabwe to trade retaliation or unintended economic consequences.
