Ghana’s Trade Minister Engages US Trade Representative on Tariffs and AGOA

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, recently held a crucial bilateral meeting with Ms. Constance Hamilton, Assistant US Trade Representative for Africa. The discussion, which took place on June 25, 2025, during the US-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola, centered on pressing trade issues affecting both nations.

Full Statement:

“TRADE MINISTER ENGAGES US TRADE REPRESENTATIVE ON TARIFFS AND THE FUTURE OF AGOA

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, on June 25, 2025, held a bilateral engagement with Ms. Constance Hamilton, Assistant US Trade Representative for Africa, during the US-Africa Business Summit hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa in Luanda, Angola. The bilateral discussion addressed pressing trade issues, including the impact of recent US tariffs on Ghanaian exports and the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), set to expire on September 30, 2025.

Hon. Ofosu-Adjare, in her discussion with the Assistant US Trade Representative, raised concerns about the US imposed 10% universal tariff on Ghanaian exports, including cocoa derivatives, apparel, and other agro-products. Highlighting the tariff’s potential to hinder Ghana’s economic growth, the Minister urged for targeted exemptions for developing economies like Ghana. She emphasized the need for dialogue to mitigate the tariff’s impact on Ghana’s export competitiveness and to ensure continuous market access for especially SMEs.

AGOA, enacted in 2000, has been a cornerstone of US-Africa trade, granting duty-free access to the US market for nearly all eligible African products. The Minister underscored AGOA’s transformative role in Ghana’s textile and apparel sector, noting that firms like Dignity Do the Right Thing (DTRT) in Accra, one of West Africa’s largest apparel manufacturers have scaled operations, created jobs for women and youth, and contributed immensely to industrial growth.

With AGOA’s September 2025 expiration approaching, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare urged a long-term extension to ensure stability for Ghana’s investors and exporters. She reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening US trade ties, pledging to address USTR concerns and foster a fair, mutually beneficial, and sustainable partnership.

Ms. Hamilton, the Assistant US Trade Representative for Africa underscored the importance of the engagement and indicated that the current US Government policy is focused on supporting US private sector investments in African power sector, mining and digital infrastructure, among others, signaling a US push for trade-driven growth rather than aid. She further mentioned that the ongoing AGOA renewal talks is focused on creating a reciprocal trading environment.

The Assistant US Trade Representative welcomed the productive discussions with Ghana’s Trade Minister, and expressed enthusiasm for the just ended US-Africa engagement which is expected to boost trade and investment. Hon. Minister and the Assistant US Trade Representative for Africa underscored the need for the two countries to work together to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations.”