Zimbabwe drops tariffs in bid to mend ties with USA
Zimbabwe was the first country to remove tariffs on products from the USA, responding to decisions made by Donald Trump's administration. Will this improve relations with the United States? The country's president hopes so.
The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, announced the removal of tariffs on US goods. This decision is a response to the new tariffs imposed by Donald Trump's administration. Mnangagwa emphasized that his goal is to improve relations with the USA.
Zimbabwe is the first to remove tariffs
Zimbabwe has become the first country to react to American tariffs by eliminating its own on US products. Earlier, Israel announced a similar decision but did so before Trump's announcement of new tariffs. The trade value between Zimbabwe and the USA is relatively small, amounting to just over 111 million dollars in 2024.
The opposition in Zimbabwe suspects that Mnangagwa's decision may be motivated by personal gain. The president has been under American sanctions since 2024, and his move might be an attempt to appeal to Trump for their removal. The BBC reminds us that the sanctions were imposed during Joe Biden's administration.
Is the removal of tariffs beneficial for the President of Zimbabwe?
Sanctions on Mnangagwa and other citizens of Zimbabwe were a response to human rights violations and corruption. They replaced earlier, broader penalties imposed on the Zimbabwean government in the early 21st century, related to the controversial land reform and repression of the opposition.
The decision by Zimbabwe to remove tariffs on American products may primarily benefit the American side. Political analyst Tendai Mbanje, quoted by the BBC, believes that this move will not benefit Zimbabwe.
