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Zimbabwe’s President Emerson Mangangwa has announced that the tariffs for goods imported from the United States trying to build “positive relations” with Presidential Administration Donald Trump has been suspended.
This step comes a few days after Trump has imposed 18% of Zimbabvi’s export tariffs.
“This measure is intended to facilitate the expansion of American imports on the Zimbabwi market, while promoting Zimbabwe’s exports intended for the US,” he said on X.
Zimbabwe dies with diplomatic relations with the US because it accepted the controversial land policy about 25 years ago and from its bad human rights entries.
Trade between the two countries amounted to only $ 111.6 million in 2024, US Government data shows.
US exported goods worth $ 43.8 million (34 million pounds) in Zimbabwe in 2024, which is 10.6% compared to the previous year, while imports decreased by 41% to $ 67.8 million.
Zimbabwean political analyst Tandai Mbange told AFP that the decision would not lead to significant economic benefits for Zimbabwe and benefit only the US.
A well -known Zimbabwean journalist and government critic Hopwell Chin said that the president seemed trying to “reassure” the Trump administration.
Mnangov may hope that the administration will impose on his sanctions, but it was a “long shot”, he added on X.
For the first time, the United States imposed sanctions with the Zimbabwe government while driving Robert Mugabe after it imposed a land reform program in 2000, which led to the capture of white farms and because of the repressive measures taken against the opposition.
The Biden administration in the United States lifted sanctions in 2024, replacing them with targeted sanctions by 11 persons – including Mnangagwa – for “democratic retreat, human rights violations and corruption”.
Previously, Mnangagwa denied these charges, calling the sanctions “illegal and justified.”
Announcement of his decision to refuse the tariffs for the US imports, he said that Zimbabwe was focused on “forming a conscientious relationship with all peoples and growing competitive relations.”
“This action emphasizes our commitment to the framework of just trade and expanded bilateral cooperation,” he added.
Chin’ono said Mnangagwa is currently chairman of the SADC regional unit and should try to set up a common response to the US rather than act unilaterally.
“When countries face global economic shifts, coordinated answers offer the best leverage and stability,” he added.
Lesotho – another South African state – suffered 50% tariffs, the highest on the list published by Trump on Wednesday.
His government said to send a delegation to the US to negotiate a new transaction, and it will look for new markets of its goods.
