Zimbabwe is set to become the first country to fold on the US’s new global tariffs since their announcement by President Trump last week, with the African nation’s leader vowing to suspend his nation’s taxes on American goods to foster “a positive relationship.”
“In the spirit of constructing a mutually beneficial and positive relationship with the United States of America, I will direct the Zimbabwean government to implement a suspension of all tariffs levied on goods originating from the United States,’’ Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa wrote on X on Saturday — three days after Trump imposed 18% tariffs on Harare’s exports, mainly tobacco and rice.
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa (here with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa) said over the weekend that his country will suspend its tariffs on US goods. REUTERS
The move comes just days after the US imposed 18% tariffs on its exports. REUTERS“This measure is intended to facilitate the expansion of American imports within the Zimbabwean market while promoting the growth of Zimbabwean exports destined for the United States,” Mnangagwa said.
“The principle of reciprocal tariffs, as a tool for safeguarding domestic employment and industrial sectors, holds merit,’’ the African nation’s president said.
“However, the Republic of Zimbabwe maintains a policy of fostering amicable relations with all nations, and cultivating adversarial relationships with none.”
It is not clear how the Trump White House may respond to the move. It did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
President Trump has initiated sweeping tariffs that threaten to upend the global economy.
President Trump said last week that Vietnam was on the verge of dropping its US tariffs, and Taiwan had also indicated it would do so as well.
Israel pre-emptively ended its tariffs on US goods before Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” announcement April 2, but that did not stop the Jewish state from receiving a fresh 17% American tariff.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Trump at the White House on Monday to haggle over the duties, as well as to huddle over the Mideast war and other issues.
Approximately 50 nations have already reached out to the White House to try to make some kind of deal, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday.
Lutnick added that all of the tariffs are scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
Additional reporting by Diana Glebova
