Zimbabwe is set to become the first country to officially fold on the US’s new global tariffs, with its president saying he will suspend the nation’s own 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 — just days after the US imposed 18% tariffs on its exports, mainly tobacco and rice, to America.
“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 immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
Trump said last week that Vietnam is on the verge of dropping its US tariffs, and Taiwan also indicated it would do so as well.
A total of about 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 said all of the tariffs are going forward, at least for now.
Additional reporting by Diana Glebova
