Mnangagwa’s diplomatic gambit: Is Zimbabwe showing SA how to deal with Washington?

Key topics:.Mnangagwa suspends US import tariffs to improve relations with the US.Tariff suspension aims to boost Zimbabwean exports to the US, especially tobacco.Zimbabwe strengthens trade ties with China, Russia, and the UAE amid tensions with the US..Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here..Support South Africa's bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here..If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here..By Ray Ndlovu ___STEADY_PAYWALL___.Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said he'll suspend tariffs on imports of US goods, seeking to turn Donald Trump's levies on much of the world into an opportunity to reset strained relations.."In the spirit of constructing a mutually beneficial and positive relationship with the United States of America, under the leadership of President Trump, I will direct the Zimbabwean government to implement a suspension of all tariffs levied on goods originating from the United States," Mnangagwa said Saturday on his official X account. .The measure will "facilitate the expansion of American imports within the Zimbabwean market, while simultaneously promoting the growth of Zimbabwean exports destined" for the US, Mnangagwa said..Trump imposed an 18% tariff on Zimbabwe as part of his wide-ranging announcement on Wednesday. Tobacco is the southern African nation's biggest export to the US..The US is Zimbabwe's 11th-largest trading partner, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Bilateral trade totaled $157 million in 2023..Ties between Harare and Washington have largely been marked by hostility for more than two decades. The US placed Mnangagwa on the so-called Magnitsky sanctions list last year for alleged "gross abuses" after his disputed election victory in 2023. .The US says its sanctions program in Zimbabwe targets about a dozen individuals and three entities, with American businesses free to review their interests with the country..In a pivot away from western partners, mineral-rich Zimbabwe has strengthened trade ties with China, Russia and recently the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is Zimbabwe's largest export partner and has helped provide a lifeline for its economy..Read also:.RW Johnson: Between a rock and a hard place – South Africa's stand off with TrumpThe Economist: Trump tariffs take US trade policy back to the 19th centuryJoel Pollak on Trump's 30% tariff shock for SA – BEE + motor sector's 30% protection targeted].© 2025 Bloomberg L.P.

Mnangagwa’s diplomatic gambit: Is Zimbabwe showing SA how to deal with Washington?

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