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Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has met with the United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, to discuss the newly imposed 10% tariff on Ghanaian goods by the US government.
Held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting aimed to evaluate the implications of the policy on bilateral trade. Also present were Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, along with senior officials from the Trade Ministry.
Ambassador Palmer explained that the tariff measure was part of broader efforts by the US to address longstanding trade imbalances with partner countries, including Ghana. She cited the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) as the legal foundation for the imposition.
While certain products—such as oil, gas, and energy-related goods—are exempt, the officials noted that exports under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) framework are impacted by the new tariff.
Discussions also centered on potential exemptions for key Ghanaian export sectors, including cocoa and garments. Both parties agreed on the importance of mitigating adverse effects, particularly the risk of job losses in affected industries.
To this end, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Agribusiness and Industry will continue to engage US authorities through bilateral and diplomatic channels to address Ghana’s concerns and seek favorable outcomes.
Source: Omanghana.com
