Tendai Ruben Mbofana
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s latest decision to suspend all tariffs on United States goods, announced in response to new U.S. tariffs on Zimbabwean exports, is both baffling and dangerous.
While President Donald Trump has declared a global tariff war under the guise of “reciprocity,” Zimbabwe’s reaction defies not only economic logic but also political common sense.
It exposes, with striking clarity, a leadership more interested in appeasing foreign powers—particularly one led by a controversial and isolationist figure like Trump—than defending the interests of its own citizens.
The global community has not taken Trump’s protectionist measures lying down.
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Powerful economies such as China, Canada, and the European Union have responded with retaliatory tariffs, meant to safeguard their economies and send a clear diplomatic message.
China, for instance, swiftly hiked its tariffs on U.S. imports to 34%, while Canada’s Prime Minister announced protective countermeasures that would shield Canadian industries and workers.
These countries understand that international trade is a game of leverage.
When one party weaponizes trade to the detriment of another, the only rational response is to push back—not surrender.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has opted to do the complete opposite.
Mnangagwa has not only refrained from reciprocating with similar trade restrictions but has thrown open the floodgates by scrapping all tariffs on U.S. imports entirely.
This decision has been dressed in diplomatic language about “fostering mutual cooperation” and “constructive engagement,” yet its implications are economically catastrophic and politically submissive.
Let’s begin with the economic aspect.
Although tariffs can be misused, they serve as an essential mechanism for developing nations to shield emerging sectors from domination by powerful external competitors.
Despite its frail and nascent economic structure, Zimbabwe depends significantly on these tariffs to support local industries, create governmental income, and uphold a certain level of trading equilibrium.
Removing tariffs on American products will make domestic producers even more susceptible than they currently are.
They are expected to compete, without any protection, against highly mechanized and subsidized U.S. producers whose scale of operation allows them to flood markets with cheap goods.
This is not competition—it is annihilation.
Zimbabwe’s already weakened industrial sector, operating in an environment riddled with power outages, limited access to finance, and poor infrastructure, will be unable to withstand the influx of cheaper U.S. alternatives.
The consequences will be swift and severe: further factory closures, job losses, increased unemployment, and the complete erosion of domestic productive capacity.
This action only speeds up Zimbabwe's process of de-industrialization.
From a strictly financial perspective, Mnangagwa’s choice makes no sense.
Customs duties form a substantial part of Zimbabwe’s revenue collection, particularly because the government struggles to track income from various taxes imposed on citizens, leading to losses caused by leaks, corruption, and poor management.
By eliminating tariffs on American products, the administration is deliberately giving up crucial revenue.
At this moment, when hospitals are short of essential medications, educators and healthcare providers receive inadequate compensation, and the nation finds it challenging to finance public services.
Not only is this approach economically unsound, but it is also fiscally reckless.
However, there is a more sinister aspect to this choice, revealing the genuine intentions driving this extraordinary benevolence towards Washington.
There is no denying that the relationship between Zimbabwe and the United States has remained cold for many years, especially starting from the early 2000s when Washington introduced specific sanctions against high-ranking Zimbabweans.
In 2024, President Mnangagwa, along with his spouse Auxillia and several of their associates, faced sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act due to allegations involving human rights violations and significant corruption.
Consequently, the U.S. seized their American-based monetary holdings, enforced restrictions on their movements, and barred Americans from participating in dealings with them.
In this scenario, Mnangagwa’s unexpected advance starts to appear logical—not as part of a broader national policy, but rather as an individual appeal for mercy.
By providing Trump with duty-free access to Zimbabwe’s market, the country’s president seems to be pursuing a pragmatic arrangement: an economic concession in hopes of securing political reinstatement.
It appears he is counting on the U.S. to see his "show of good faith" as sufficient grounds for reconsidering or loosening the current sanctions policy.
This isn't diplomacy—it's abasement.
Moreover, this behavior is degrading at the cost of the Zimbabwean people.
This isn't the first instance where Zimbabwe's leaders have prioritized appeasing foreign entities for their own gain over serving the public interest.
During the late Mugabe era, similar concessions were made—whether in the form of unsustainable deals with the Chinese or desperate appeals to Western governments for reengagement, while ordinary citizens bore the brunt of economic mismanagement.
Mnangagwa’s move mirrors that same pattern of elite self-preservation disguised as “engagement.”
And yet, there is no indication that this act of appeasement will yield any tangible results.
Donald Trump’s tariff strategy is not about engagement or reward.
This stems from a simplistic nationalist economic strategy aimed at bolstering American manufacturing, decreasing trade imbalances, and solidifying his political support.
Nations that have traditionally depended on American goodwill have discovered they were penalized rather than rewarded.
Mnangagwa is clinging to an illusion: that his allegiance will win him favor.
Actually, it is far more probable to be overlooked—or even perceived as a vulnerability ready to exploit.
The true sorrow lies in the fact that Zimbabweans will bear the brunt of their leaders' pursuit of individual atonement.
By eliminating all tariffs on American products, Mnangagwa has granted U.S. businesses unrestricted entry into Zimbabwe’s market without any protections, tax obligations, or corresponding trade advantages for Zimbabwean exports.
This is not a "win-win" trade deal.
It is economic exploitation masked as benevolence.
The United States has much to gain—including increased market presence, new avenues for exports, and enhanced geopolitical influence—whereas Zimbabwe would only accrue more debt, foster greater dependence, and sink deeper into poverty.
We must inquire: Was there any consultation with Parliament, local industries, or trade unions prior to announcing such a significant change in policy?
Where can we find the economic impact assessment?
Where is the transparency?
The choice was made independently and shared via social media platforms without much consideration of the outcomes.
This is not how trade policy should be conducted in a sovereign republic.
Mnangagwa’s announcement marks a shameful moment in Zimbabwe’s post-independence history—a moment when a leader chose appeasement over principle, submission over strategy, and personal interest over national survival.
It sends a chilling message to Zimbabweans and the world: that their government is willing to sacrifice economic sovereignty on the altar of political expediency.
In the end, the real losers in this political game are the people of Zimbabwe.
The employees set to lose their positions due to overseas competition, the business owners who will struggle against inexpensive imported goods, and the everyday people who will face higher costs as the nation loses income and sinks further into economic misery.
Mnangagwa might think he is engaging in high-level diplomacy like a skilled chess player on the global stage, but in reality, he has simply surrendered control of the game.
- Tendai Ruben Mbofana is an advocate for social justice and also a writer. Don’t hesitate to call or send a WhatsApp message at: +263715667700 | +263782283975, or you can reach out via email: mbofana.tendairuben73@gmail.com , or visit website: https://mbofanatendairuben.news.blog/