Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has invited U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, for a crucial meeting on April 7, 2025, to seek clarification on President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose a 10% tariff on imports from Ghana.
Ablakwa confirmed the invitation in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), expressing the need for clear answers regarding the reasoning behind the tariff. He noted that the tariff, part of broader U.S. trade measures, had raised significant concerns among Ghanaian businesses and policymakers alike.
The tariff forms part of a wider package of trade measures, including a 34% levy on Chinese imports and a 20% tax on European Union goods. The imposition has sparked strong condemnation from the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG), which claims the move violates World Trade Organization (WTO) principles.
The IEAG warned of serious economic consequences, including:
Reduced demand for Ghanaian exports in the U.S. market.
Job losses due to diminished export opportunities.
Rising interest rates due to financial instability.
An increased trade deficit from reduced export earnings.
Slower national economic growth and revenue decline.
The IEAG has called for urgent diplomatic engagement with the U.S. to challenge the tariff and protect affected businesses.
