Taxation

Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa Waiving Tariffs on US Imports

Published APR 7 2025

Story

Above: Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, speaks during the UNFCCC COP28 Climate Conference on Dec. 1, 2023. Image credit: Sean Gallup/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday announced in a statement that his country would suspend "all tariffs levied on goods originating from the United States." Mnangagwa said this action is meant to show the country's "commitment to a framework of equitable trade and enhanced bilateral cooperation" with America.
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This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump, as part of a lengthy list of tariffs on exports to the United States, levied an 18% tariff on Zimbabwe's exports.
BBC News
Africanews
Bilateral trade between the United States and Zimbabwe totaled $157 million in 2023, and government data shows $111.6 million in trade between the nations in 2024. Zimbabwe mostly trades with the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and China.
Africanews
Bloomberg.com
Relations between the United States and Zimbabwe have been sour since as far back as 2000 when America first imposed sanctions over the country's land reform program. Currently, Mnangagwa is among 11 individuals who are subjected to targeted sanctions over what the United States calls corruption and human rights abuses.
BBC News
Bloomberg.com
Mnangagwa has denied the allegations and classified the sanctions as "illegal and unjustified."
BBC News
NewZimbabwe.com
Trump's tariffs have left world leaders with decisions over how to respond. Mnangagwa's announcement comes after it was reported To Lam, Vietnam's top leader, requested a 45-day delay from Trump.
Daily Sabah
The New York Times

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

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ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The United States' shift in trade policy, is throwing the world, especially African nations, into chaos. These tariffs violate long-standing treaties that allow sub-Saharan African nations the chance to close the growth gap on countries in other regions. Mnangagwa is just doing what he can to bring relief to his nation.

Business Insider

Narrative B

Mnangagwa is making a dangerous decision that neither guarantees relief from Trump nor pushes Zimbabwe's goals forward. While many other countries are pushing back with force, it seems Mnangagwa is appeasing Trump in an effort to obtain personal political relief rather than economic relief for his country.