Zimbabwe’s recently elected President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced a potentially game-changing decision to waive all tariffs on imports from the United States. The country is in the midst of a broader effort to improve its diplomatic relations with the US. This focus comes after more than two decades of difficult relationships. Fortunately, the Biden administration recently reversed course on this policy. Instead, they pledged to move away from blanket sanctions towards more targeted measures against specific individuals.
In a statement, Mnangagwa emphasized that Zimbabwe aims to “foster amicable relations with all nations, and cultivate adversarial relationships with none.” His administration’s move toward a more collegial spirit in international relations echoed in this statement. The tariffs, despite the havoc they have wrought, were originally an element of a larger economic plan. Now, they are an obstacle to deepening trade relations with the US.
Hopewell Chin’ono is a well-known Zimbabwean journalist and government opponent. He views this decision as an effort by Mnangagwa to “appease” the Trump administration. He noted that while the US has adjusted its sanctions policy, the president’s hopes for a complete lifting of restrictions may be unrealistic.
The Biden administration replaced past sanctions in 2024 with targeted sanctions on eleven individuals – among them, Mr. Mnangagwa himself. These sanctions were imposed due to concerns over “democratic backsliding, human rights abuses, and government corruption.” Until now Mnangagwa denied he had done anything wrong and described the sanctions as “illegal and unjustified.” Today, he is going up the ropes to repair fences.
Trade statistics indicate a mixed picture. So far in 2024, the US has exported $43.8 million in goods to Zimbabwe, a 10.6% increase since 2023. Yet Zimbabwe’s imports from the US decreased by 41%, down to a mere $67.8 million. Total trade between the two countries was $111.6 million, according to US government statistics.
Political analyst Tendai Mbanje viewed Mnangagwa’s tariff waiver with skepticism as to its economic utility. He pointed out that the decision could have been politically motivated. Still, he does not think it’s possible to deliver substantial economic positive returns for Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa reiterated his commitment to strengthening trade relations by stating, “This measure 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.”
Despite these diplomatic overtures, Zimbabwe’s dismal human rights track record continues to mar its international relations. The country has faced scrutiny since implementing a controversial land reform policy in 2000 that involved the seizure of white-owned farms. No one said tracking Zimbabwe’s rocky dance with the US was going to be easy. In any case, it is hard to imagine that the tariff waiver will provide any tangible economic dividends.