President John Dramani Mahama has criticized the 10% tariffs imposed on all imports by U.S. President Donald Trump, warning that the move could disrupt global trade and negatively impact developing economies such as Ghana.
During a bilateral trade meeting with Czech Republic President Petr Pavel on Tuesday, Mahama expressed concern about the potential consequences of the tariffs.
“Many factories that have established themselves in the U.S. may seek other regions with lower tariffs to continue exporting to the American market. This could have severe implications for everyone,” Mahama cautioned.
He further noted that such unilateral actions undermine global cooperation and progress.
“I firmly believe that a multilateral approach benefits us all more than a unilateral one, where decisions are made solely based on national interests. We must prioritize global interests and partnerships,” Mahama added.
President Pavel shared Mahama’s concerns, urging diplomatic engagement with the U.S. to reconsider the policy.
“I believe imposing tariffs in this manner harms the U.S., Europe, and other countries. Tariffs damage everyone. It is unfortunate that such a wave of tariffs was imposed without negotiations,” Pavel stated.
He continued, “Through negotiation, we could achieve outcomes beneficial for the U.S. without destroying other nations. Damaging other countries so severely will create problems that may be more costly to address than simply reducing tariff pressures.”
The tariffs, announced on April 2, 2025, were enacted through an Executive Order under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA).
U.S. officials have defended the measure, stating it is intended to address economic and national security threats stemming from ongoing trade deficits.
