African trade ministers will meet today to discuss their collective response to the new import tariffs imposed by the United States under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.

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The directive, which took effect on April 9, introduces sweeping tariffs on countries worldwide. Some African nations, such as Lesotho, could face import duties of up to 50 percent, while Ghana is expected to incur a baseline import tax of 10 percent.

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Although the measure is premised on the principle of reciprocity, President Trump insisted in the executive order that the United States had been unfairly disadvantaged by trade barriers erected by other countries.

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"The United States has been subjected for decades to trade barriers that severely restrict the export of American goods. These new measures are necessary to restore fairness to international trade," Trump stated.

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In reaction to the development, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, announced during a briefing in Accra that African ministers responsible for trade would urgently convene next week to chart a path forward.

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"This development must serve as a wake-up call," Mene said. "It should spur Africa to accelerate efforts in creating a commercially viable internal market that is resilient to external shocks."

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Mene further indicated that the ministers’ meeting will seek to craft a coordinated continental response to protect African economies and ensure that the continent’s trade interests are not undermined.

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Meanwhile, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2000 to provide duty-free access for African exports to the U.S. market, remains in effect but faces new scrutiny in light of the latest U.S. trade policy shift.

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In 2022, two-way trade between AGOA members and the US exceeded $46 billion, with $13.5 billion more in imports than exports.

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That year, AGOA recipients exported $30 billion worth of goods to the US, of which $10.2 billion were sold under the duty-free AGOA preference.

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However, with AGOA’s framework set to expire in September, there are growing concerns that the Trump administration’s stance may hinder any renewal.

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Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has said he will suspend all tariffs on goods imported from the United States.

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In a statement on the social media platform, X, Mnangagwa described the measure as an attempt to build a “mutually beneficial and positive relationship” with the Trump administration.

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“The principle of reciprocal tariffs, as a tool for safeguarding domestic employment and industrial sectors, holds merit. However, the Republic of Zimbabwe maintains a policy of fostering amicable relations with all nations, and cultivating adversarial relationships with none.”

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“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.”

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“This measure is intended to facilitate the expansion of American imports within the Zimbabwean market, while simultaneously promoting the growth of Zimbabwean exports destined for the United States. This action underscores our commitment to a framework of equitable trade and enhanced bilateral cooperation,” the post read.

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US government data shows that trade between the two countries amounted to $111.6 million in 2024.

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Zimbabwe’s main trading partners are the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and China, and its limited exports to the US comprise mainly tobacco and sugar.

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