The United States has a high demand for textile products and the market also demands high quality products. Zimbabwe can export its textile products if these meet the United States’ standards. The Zimbabwean textile industry needs to explore the United States market as it bids to recover its former luster.

Trade between Zimbabwe and the US has declined in recent years, with exports to America totaling $34 million in 2013 compared to $91 million in 2001. The country imported $60 million worth of goods from the US in the comparative period, up $from 31 million. Zimbabwe imports mainly machinery, pharmaceutical products, vehicles and medical instruments and exports iron and steel, tobacco, coffee, raw hides and skins.

AGOA is the main vehicle for dialogue between the US and sub-Sahara Africa, but its lifespan ends this year. Notably, Zimbabwe is not eligible under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which offers qualifying sub-Saharan countries even more liberal access to the US market after Washington imposed sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle in 2003 on allegations of human rights abuses.