President John Dramani Mahama has voiced his concerns about the recent decision by the United States to impose tariffs on imports from all countries, including Ghana. The tariffs, announced by US President Donald Trump on April 2, 2025, aim to address economic and national security threats stemming from persistent trade deficits.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with Czech President Petr Pavel on April 8, President Mahama highlighted the potential disruption to global trade relations and harm to economies like Ghana’s. “Many factories might look for areas with cheaper tariffs to export into the American market, which has severe implications for everybody,” he cautioned.
President Mahama emphasised the importance of a multilateral approach, stating, “A multilateral world serves us all better than a unilateral one where decisions are based solely on one’s own country. We must prioritize global interest and partnership over national interest.”
International Concerns
Czech President Petr Pavel echoed President Mahama’s concerns, stressing the devastating effects of the US decision on global economies. “Imposing tariffs without negotiating doesn’t help the situation in the US, Europe, or other countries. Tariffs are damaging everyone,” he said.
President Pavel called for diplomatic engagement with the United States to reconsider its stance, suggesting that negotiation can yield beneficial results for all parties involved. “By damaging other countries, the US will create problems that may be more costly than reducing tariff pressure,” he noted.
Ghana’s Response
The US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has urged continued dialogue between the two countries to explore mutually beneficial solutions. Ghana’s Deputy Trade Minister, Sampson Ahi, revealed that President Mahama has directed the ministry to do everything possible to resolve the tariff imposition, considering it a matter of national interest .
The new tariff policy is expected to significantly impact Ghana’s export volumes and government revenue, raising concerns within the business community
