Mahama orders full action on Trump tariffs – Deputy Trade Minister reveals

Deputy Trade Minister Sampson Ahi announced that President John Mahama has given a directive. He wants the team to resolve the 10% tariff on Ghana’s exports imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Ahi spoke on Joy News’ PM Express on April 7. He said the President views this issue as a national priority. Mahama supports all diplomatic efforts to reverse what many see as an unjustified tariff.

“President John Mahama has tasked us to address the Trump tariffs,” Ahi stated during the interview. His comments followed a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer.

The meeting was prompted by Trump's decision to target cocoa, Ghana's top export commodity, for new tariffs. This is surprising since the U.S. does not produce cocoa.

“I believe that if he needs to intervene, he will,” Ahi added. He suggested that Mahama is ready to engage at high levels to protect Ghana’s interests.

Ahi questioned why cocoa was targeted with a 10% tariff when there is no domestic industry in the U.S. “If you want competitive taxes, it should be based on your advantages,” he argued.

“The U.S. doesn’t produce cocoa but imposed a 10% tariff on its exports.”

Ambassador Palmer seemed surprised by this inclusion and recommended pursuing resolution diplomatically at higher levels.

“She felt that if we pursued it, cocoa could be exempted from the tariff,” Ahi said. She believes engaging at a governmental level would be beneficial.

Ahi noted that Ghana is not alone in this fight. The African Union and AfCFTA are preparing a collective response.

“We have agreed as Africans to fight this together,” he stated. On April 14, AfCFTA will hold a meeting with African trade ministers about this situation.

He emphasized that Ghana will continue fighting against what he calls an unfair trade decision. “This affects our economy, farmers, and export earnings,” he concluded.