Ablakwa Invites US Ambassador for Clarification on Trump Tariff
On April 4, 2025, Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed that he had invited the United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, for a meeting on Monday, April 7. The purpose of this invitation is to seek clarification regarding the recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a 10% tariff on goods imported from Ghana. This move is part of a broader set of tariffs that Trump has introduced, which also includes a 34% levy on imports from China and a 20% tax on goods from the European Union. These new tariffs have sparked global trade tensions, and Ghana is notably affected by the 10% import tax.
In a statement shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Minister Ablakwa emphasized that the meeting would offer an opportunity for Ambassador Palmer to explain the reasons behind the decision to impose the tariff. He noted that the introduction of the 10% tariff had raised significant concern among both local businesses and policymakers in Ghana, who are apprehensive about the potential economic impact of this new trade policy.
The tariff decision has been met with widespread criticism from local trade associations. The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana issued a press statement on April 4, strongly condemning the U.S. move. They argued that the tariff constitutes a violation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) protocols and principles, as it disregards established international trade practices. The association warned that the imposition of such tariffs could have severe consequences for Ghana’s economy, particularly for businesses that rely on imports and exports for their operations.
The Ghanaian government is keen to address these concerns, and the meeting between Minister Ablakwa and Ambassador Palmer is seen as a crucial step in seeking clarity from the U.S. on the justification for the tariff. Both the government and local businesses are closely monitoring the situation, hoping to find a resolution that minimizes the potential adverse effects on Ghana’s trade relations with the United States. The outcome of the upcoming meeting will likely shape the direction of future economic and diplomatic discussions between the two nations.
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