Ghana remains important to us ‘no matter what’

The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has emphasised that Ghana remains an important ally, despite recent changes in her country’s international trade relations.

Her comments come in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to sign executive orders authorising sweeping tariffs on many countries exporting to the American market.

Ghana, which has been subjected to a 10% levy, is among the countries affected, raising concerns over the potential impact on U.S.-Ghana trade relations and the long-term implications for global trade.

However, in her first media engagement since the political transition in the U.S., Ambassador Virginia Palmer reaffirmed that Ghana’s longstanding relationship with America has secured its place as a vital partner.

“No matter what the change in language, how we express it, or the change in focus, Ghana is a really important partner of the United States and will continue to be so. The United States is behind Ghana’s economic recovery through institutions like the World Bank and the IMF, as well as American business interests. There’s going to be a big trade mission, which I can’t announce yet, but it’s coming,” she stated.

The Ambassador further explained that the United States and Ghana have a deeply-rooted relationship, founded on many fronts: historical and cultural ties, as well as bilateral trade relations, which currently amount to approximately USD3 billion.

“There’s going to be a big trade mission,” she noted, signalling that it could enhance investment and cooperation between both nations.

President Trump’s decision to impose a 10% levy on many countries will come into effect on April 5, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.

According to Trump, nations with the largest trade imbalances with the U.S. will face “individualised” tariffs, set to take effect just days before the broad tariffs are enforced. These “individualised” tariffs, he stated, would be half of what those countries had charged the U.S. for their exports.

Source: Myjoyonline