Ghana Remains Important Partner to the US Despite 10% Tariff Hike – US Ambassador to Ghana Calls for Calm —U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer is assuring the Ghanaian business community that the country still remains a very important bilateral partner to the United States despite the tariff increases imposed on Ghana’s exports by the Trump administration.
The 10% tariff imposed on Ghana’s exports to the United States was part of a mass policy action taken by President Donald Trump‘s administration. This tariff, which affects Ghanaian goods exported to the U.S. was implemented as part of an effort to address trade imbalances and enforce U.S. trade priorities.
The move has been met with mixed reactions from both US and Ghana as the decision is expected to increase the cost of Ghanaian products on the US market hence making it uncompetitive.
But amidst the tariff hike, Ambassador Virginia Palmer has emphasized that despite hike in the tariffs, the longstanding ties between the two nations will continue to stand and ensure the mutual benefit of both countries.
She notes that the bilateral trade between the U.S. and Ghana will continue unbated and will protect the $3 billion worth of trade between the two countries.
“The United States and Ghana have a very long-standing close relationship. As you all know, and it’s founded on kind of four pillars. The first is historical and cultural. And more than $3 billion in bilateral trade and investment is another kind of key pillar. And that’s goods and services, but oil and gas going from here, gold going from here, pharmaceuticals, automobiles coming from the United States,” she said.
She added that, “It’s something that builds prosperity in both Ghana and the United States. So all of that to say that no matter what the change in language and how we express it or the change in focus, Ghana is a really important partner of the United States and will continue to be so.”
She further emphasized that the U.S. will also continue to support Ghana’s economic recovery through the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In addition, Palmer revealed that American businesses are increasingly eyeing Ghana as a viable investment destination, citing upcoming initiatives, such as a major U.S. trade mission and a U.S.- Africa business summit scheduled for next year, which will further strengthen bilateral economic ties.
She said, “The United States is behind Ghana’s economic recovery. And that’s through things like the World Bank and the IMF, but also American company interest in coming here. There’s going to be a big trade mission, which I can’t announce yet, but it’s coming. And I think there will be a big U.S.- Africa business summit here next year. And I think both of those things will be good signals of the interest from American business in Ghana.”
The US Ambassador’s remarks is seeking to signal an unwavering commitment from the United States to Ghana, despite short-term trade hurdles. The ongoing partnership is expected to continue flourishing, with both countries poised to deepen their economic and cultural bonds for years to come.
