The Ministry for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry has reassured the public of the government’s efforts to address the 10% universal tariffs imposed by the United States on imports, including goods from Ghana.
The tariffs, announced by the US on April 2, 2025, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), are framed as a response to economic and national security concerns related to global trade deficits.
While the 10% levy is broadly applied, certain products—such as copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and critical minerals—are exempt.
Ghana’s export sector, particularly under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), is expected to face significant challenges.
AGOA provides duty-free, quota-free access to the US market for key Ghanaian products like apparel, cocoa derivatives, shea butter, and horticultural goods.
The government is already exploring strategies to mitigate the potential impact on these exports.
The tariff has raised concerns among businesses and individuals, given the potential negative effects on trade and local industries.
However, in an interview on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, the Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Sampson Ahi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the issue.
He further emphasised the government’s diplomatic approach following a meeting with the US Ambassador to Ghana.
According to the ministry, the government aims to negotiate with the US government but does not intend to engage in a trade war.
He said, “We are preparing to organise a meeting with the players, AGI, Exporters into the US market on Friday. We are going to engage the players on Friday and also listen to them so that together we can solve the issue but we believe strongly that when we pursue the diplomatic way that we want to solve the problem, we will certainly come out with something, if not entirely removing the 10%, a drastic reduction can be done.”
“We believe that this is not the time to antagonise the US government, this is not a trade war, we are not going to engage in a trade war with the US government, we believe that if we engage them, it will be possible.”
