Government pledges swift action to address U.S. tariffs

The government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to swiftly respond to the newly imposed 10% universal tariffs by the United States on imports from Ghana and other nations.

On April 2, 2025, the U.S. announced that a 10% universal tariff would apply to imports from all countries, including Ghana, starting April 5, 2025. Goods already in transit before the effective date will be exempt.

Additionally, a second round of reciprocal tariffs—ranging from 11% to 50% and targeting over 50 countries—is set to take effect on April 9.

These tariffs, introduced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977, are aimed at addressing U.S. concerns over national security and global trade imbalances.

In a statement released on Saturday, April 5, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry assured exporters and investors of a proactive and coordinated government response.

“The Ministry is urgently engaging relevant stakeholders to assess the potential impact of the U.S. tariffs and explore strategies to cushion the economy,” the statement read.

The Ministry emphasized that Ghanaian exports to the U.S.—such as apparel, cocoa derivatives, shea butter, cashews, yams, and gold jewelry—currently benefit from duty-free, quota-free access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which remains unaffected for now.

It also noted that the U.S. executive order exempts several product categories from the tariffs, including copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, energy products, and certain critical minerals.

To maintain trade stability and investor confidence, the Ministry stated:

“The government is committed to keeping the private sector well-informed to prevent disruptions and ensure predictable investment planning.”

As part of immediate diplomatic efforts, the Ministers for Trade, Finance, Agribusiness & Industry, and Foreign Affairs will meet with the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana on Monday, April 7.