After backtracking on its 15% import tariffs imposed on Ghana in sweeping reciprocal tariffs and opening its market wide to Ghanaian goods, the United States is hoping that Ghana will respond in kind by lowering tariffs on American exports.
The Trump Administration says it is looking to reset and deepen its trade relationship on more equal terms.
Speaking at a media roundtable in Accra, U.S. State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa, William Stevens, explained that if Ghana enjoys near-free access to the American market, American products should also face fewer barriers when entering Ghana.
William Stevens says under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the U.S. has for years allowed thousands of African-made goods to enter its market at zero percent tariff. This covers more than 3,000 product categories.
For Ghana, this has meant that most of what it exports to the U.S. attracts little or no import duty.
He noted that even under the global 15 percent baseline tariff introduced by the Trump administration, Ghana’s exports remain largely unaffected. Key products such as oil and cocoa are not tariffed at all, and most other Ghanaian goods are exempt.
As a result, Ghana effectively enjoys some of the lowest tariffs anywhere in the world when trading with the United States.
“Most of, if not the vast majority of the goods that Ghana is sending are exempted from the 15 percent baseline tariff. So the tariffs that are being imposed on Ghana are actually the lowest tariff globally. It’s a global kind of tariff, with the exception of a few countries where we’ve actually finished trade negotiations,” he remarked.
Moreover, trade between the two countries is now valued at between 3.5 and 4 billion dollars, up from about 2 billion dollars just a few years ago. For the U.S. official, this growth shows strong potential for an even deeper partnership.
But while Ghanaian exporters enjoy broad access to the American market, William Stevens pointed out that the reverse is not true. American goods entering Ghana face relatively high tariffs across many product categories, from machinery and vehicles to processed foods and consumer goods.
The U.S. is therefore hoping that, in the name of reciprocity, Ghana considers its import tariffs on American goods and offers it more favourable terms.
For the U.S., this imbalance is now a central issue as discussions begin on a possible new trade agreement with Ghana. Washington says it is not seeking special treatment, but fairness.
“It’s a relatively balanced trade relationship, which is quite, I think, in Ghana’s favour, as far as we talk about the negotiations on a new trade deal with Ghana. But I wish I could say that that was the same for American exports to Ghana, which are tariffed at quite a high rate across a whole suite of goods,” he bemoaned.
He added, “We hope that as we open American markets to Ghanaian goods, you’ll see Ghanaian markets open to American goods more freely. Because, as I said, if we’re in a negotiation as equals, we need to treat each other with reciprocity.”
For Ghanaian consumers and businesses, lower tariffs on U.S. imports could have practical benefits. Cheaper machinery could reduce production costs for local manufacturers. More affordable farm equipment could support agriculture.
Lower-priced technology, vehicles, and medical equipment could ease pressure on households and businesses already dealing with high costs.
At the same time, Ghanaian exporters would continue to benefit from duty-free access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets, helping local industries grow, create jobs, and earn foreign exchange.
