Trump Imposes New 15% Tariff on Ghanaian Imports
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new 15% tariff on goods imported from Ghana, sparking widespread concern among Ghanaian exporters and trade analysts.
The tariff, which takes immediate effect, is part of Trump’s renewed push to protect American industries and address what he describes as “unfair trade practices” by foreign countries.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Ohio on Thursday, July 31, 2025, Trump stated that the new measure is aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing the U.S. trade deficit.
“We are putting America first. Countries that have taken advantage of us for years will now pay their fair share,” he declared to a cheering crowd.
What are Trump’s new tariffs?
We’ve summed up Trump’s new tariffs, as set out in his executive order, external on the White House website. The order lists tariffs on goods from more than 90 countries:
- 10% – Falkland Islands, United Kingdom, and all other countries not listed in the executive order
- 15% – Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Costa Rica, Côte d`Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- 18% – Nicaragua
- 19% – Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines
- 20% – Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam
- 25% – Brunei, India, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tunisia
- 30% – Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Libya, South Africa
- 35% – Iraq, Serbia
- 39% – Switzerland
- 40% – Laos, Myanmar (Burma)
- 41% – Syria
There are some notable exceptions:
- China is still in the midst of negotiations
- Canada faces a 35% tariff that kicks in less than an hour’s time, on 1 August
- Mexico faces a 25% fentanyl tariff, 25% cars tariff, and 50% tariff on steel, aluminium, and copper – all which kick in 90 days
- Goods from the European Union face a range of 0% to around 15% tariffs. These rates kick in on 7 August
- Brazil was listed in the executive order as having a 10% tariff – but this is separate to the 40% tariff announced yesterday, meaning it faces a rate of 50% on most goods
The new tariff is expected to impact key Ghanaian exports to the United States, including cocoa, processed chocolate products, textiles, and certain agricultural produce. Exporters fear that the additional costs will make Ghanaian goods less competitive on the U.S. market.
“This is a big blow to our non-traditional exports,” said Kwame Owusu, a trade consultant based in Accra. “Many small businesses that depend on the U.S. market could struggle to absorb these additional costs.”
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has yet to issue an official response but sources say government officials are exploring possible diplomatic engagements with the U.S. to seek a review of the decision.
Trade experts have warned that the new tariff could strain the long-standing trade relations between Ghana and the United States, which have been governed under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Local business groups are urging the government to intervene swiftly to protect jobs and preserve market access for Ghanaian goods.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com
