Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
UNITED States of America President Mr Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on imports from Zimbabwe and the rest of the world come into effect today, amidst divided opinions from around the world.
The tariffs hit nearly all US allies and raise import taxes on Chinese goods to more than 100 percent. A new baseline tariff of 10 percent on all imports took effect last Friday, while the “reciprocal” tariffs entered into force today.
Zimbabwe was slapped with an 18 percent tariff on all its exports to the United States.
However, President Mnangagwa responded by removing all tariffs on US goods entering the country to foster mutual trade relations.
China hit back with its own levies, and the European Union was on the verge of approving a plan to retaliate with tariffs on US steel and aluminium.
Mr Trump has vowed to ensure that the tariffs remain and was quoted boasting that the punitive measures were forcing world leaders to negotiate deals.
The tariffs come into effect as SADC has raised concern over the imposition of these measures by the United States on imported products from the region.
