Ablakwa Invites US Ambassador to Discuss Trump’s 10% Tariff on Ghana

Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has officially invited the United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, for a meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025.

The purpose of the invitation is to seek clarification on the recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a 10% tariff on goods imported from Ghana.

The new tariffs are part of a broader strategy by President Trump, which includes a 34% levy on imports from China and a 20% tax on goods from the European Union.

These trade measures have sparked global tensions, and Ghana is not exempt from their effects, with the 10% import tax having potential repercussions for the nation’s economy.

Minister Ablakwa expressed his concerns over the move in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), confirming the scheduled meeting with Ambassador Palmer.

“I can confirm that I have invited US Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Virginia Palmer to my office on Monday morning to provide clarifications and reasons for President Trump’s imposition of 10% tariff on Ghana,” he said.

The tariff has already raised alarms among Ghanaian businesses, with the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana voicing their concerns.

The association, in a press statement issued on Friday, April 4, 2025, condemned the tariff as a violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) principles.

The statement also warned that the decision could have serious consequences for Ghana’s economy, potentially affecting trade relations between the two countries.

The meeting between Minister Ablakwa and Ambassador Palmer is expected to offer important insights into the reasoning behind the U.S. tariff decision and explore possible solutions to mitigate its impact on Ghana’s economy.