The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has indicated a willingness to “continue to talk” to Ghanaian officials regarding the imposition of a 10 per cent tariff on Ghana, which takes effect this week.

Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, together with other senior government officials, met with the Ambassador on Monday, seeking clarity on the matter, as Ghana’s private sector has been rattled by the new tariff adjustments.

However, summarising her assessment of the engagement in an exclusive interview with Joy News’ Blessed Sogah, Ambassador Palmer expressed hope that Ghana could secure some gains compared to other competitors.

“I had a great meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and we talked about how the relationship with Ghana is very strong, how we can maintain that, and the specifics of these global tariffs. We also discussed areas where the United States and Ghana can improve our trade relations,” Ambassador Palmer stated, adding, “I hope that this means Ghana will have some benefit in comparison to its competitors, but we’ll continue to dig in and talk.”

Just last week, Ambassador Palmer emphasised that Ghana remains an important ally, despite recent changes in the United States’ international trade relations.

This includes the decision by the US to reverse a portion of non-essential USAID funding to Ghana, which President John Mahama has stated could affect budgetary allocations for the year.

Ghana, which has been subjected to a 10 per cent levy, is among the countries impacted, raising concerns over the potential effects on US-Ghana trade relations and the long-term implications for global trade.

However, in her first media engagement since the political transition in the US, Ambassador Palmer reaffirmed that Ghana’s longstanding relationship with America has solidified its position as a key 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 supporting 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 share a deeply-rooted relationship, based on historical and cultural ties, as well as bilateral trade relations, which currently amount to approximately USD 3 billion.

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