"Ghana to Engage US Over New Tariffs as Trade Concerns Mount"

Ghana to Engage US Over New Tariffs as Trade Concerns Mount

The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness & Industry has assured the Ghanaian private sector, particularly major exporters and investors, of the government’s commitment to engaging the United States on the newly imposed tariffs on Ghanaian products.

The move aims to prevent trade disruptions and safeguard investment decisions in the country.

In response to the tariff imposition, the Ministry has initiated urgent consultations with key stakeholders to assess the full economic impact of the measure. Various strategies are also under consideration to mitigate potential adverse effects on Ghana’s trade.

Ghana has historically benefited from duty-free and quota-free access to the U.S. market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). However, on April 2, 2025, the U.S. government announced a universal 10% tariff on imports from all countries, including Ghana, effective April 5, 2025.

Goods in transit before the effective date will be exempt. Additionally, reciprocal tariffs ranging from 11% to 50% were imposed on imports from over 50 countries, taking effect on April 9, 2025.

The tariffs, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), are in response to concerns over global trade deficits and national security. However, certain products—such as copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, energy products, lumber articles, and critical minerals—have been exempted from both universal and reciprocal tariffs.

The U.S. remains a key market for Ghanaian priority exports, including apparel, cocoa derivatives, gold jewelry, shea butter, and horticultural products such as yams, cashews, fruits, and vegetables.

The government is determined to ensure the private sector remains well-informed about the tariff developments to maintain trade stability and investment predictability.

As an immediate step, Ghana’s Ministers of Trade, Agribusiness & Industry, Finance, and Foreign Affairs are set to meet with the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana on Monday, April 7, 2025, to discuss the issue.