Ghana and the United States are deepening diplomatic engagements following the imposition of a 10% tariff by the U.S. on Ghanaian exports, effective April 5, 2025.
The development was the focus of high-level discussions today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra.
Her Excellency Virginia Palmer, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, met with Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), upon his invitation, to deliberate on the implications of the new trade measure.
Ambassador Palmer clarified that the decision to impose the tariff was not aimed at Ghana specifically.
“The tariff did not maliciously target Ghana but was intended to address the significant trade imbalances between the USA and its partners such as Ghana,” she said.
According to the ambassador, the new tariff is being enforced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), a U.S. federal law that authorises economic sanctions in response to unusual or extraordinary threats.
She, however, disclosed that the tariff exempts critical exports such as oil, gas, and energy-related products. Nonetheless, the measure impacts several products under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a U.S. trade initiative that previously granted Ghanaian exports duty-free access to the U.S. market.
The meeting also featured Hon. Sampson Ahi, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, along with senior officials from his ministry.
Discussions explored the potential for further exemptions—especially for cocoa and garments, two major Ghanaian exports vulnerable to the new levy.
Both governments committed to ongoing dialogue aimed at protecting Ghanaian businesses and workers.
“The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Agribusiness and Industry would continue to engage the USA authorities on how to mitigate and alleviate the effect of the tariff on Ghanaian businesses and the Ghanaian economy generally through bilateral and diplomatic means,” the ministry said in a statement.
Despite the recent tensions, Ghana and the United States reaffirmed their strong and cordial relations.
The U.S. government’s decision to impose this tariff aligns with President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency on April 2, 2025, citing significant trade deficits as a threat to national security.
This action led to the implementation of a universal 10% tariff on imports from all countries, with higher reciprocal tariffs ranging from 11% to 50% on over 50 nations, effective April 9, 2025.
The administration asserts that these measures aim to bolster U.S. manufacturing and correct trade imbalances.
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