Zimbabwe first country in the world to abolish tariffs

Whether it was intentional or by accident, the country has set a complex precedent that could shape the future of global trade dynamics

- Craig Moffat & EM Hoza

Chaos and sudden pivots have marked the diplomatic space since the return of Donald Trump as president of the United States. The latest move is his decision to hit virtually all countries with increased tariffs on their exports to the US, ostensibly to “address the injustices of global trade, re-shore manufacturing, and drive economic growth for the American people”.

Lesotho was hit with a 50% tariff, the highest of all. Zimbabwe was slapped with an 18% tariff.

To date, Canada, China, Mexico and the European Union have imposed tariffs on a range of US goods in response.

But one reaction stands out as highly unusual: Zimbabwe, a small and economically struggling nation, chose not to retaliate, but instead announced a suspension of tariffs on imports from the US.

Days after the Trump tariffs kicked in, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on his X account that, “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.”

The move by Zimbabwe — which is currently not even clear on what domestic legal instrument it is based — amounts to granting a privileged status on goods originating from the US.