Ghana Negotiates AGOA Renewal Amid U.S. Blanket Tariffs

Ghana's Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, met with senior United States officials in Washington, D.C., on June 9, 2025, to negotiate trade policy under the revived America First Trade Policy. The discussions centered on the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which expires in September 2025, and the impact of a 10 percent blanket tariff on imports from several countries, including Ghana.

Ofosu-Adjare advocated for the preservation of AGOA to protect Ghana's garment and textile industries, describing the act as a "win-win" framework. In response to U.S. concerns, the minister addressed Ghana's local content policies for mining firms and outstanding debts owed to American businesses. U.S. officials, including representatives from the Department of Commerce and the President's Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa, also requested greater regulatory clarity regarding the importation of over-aged vehicles and excavators into Ghana.

Both nations agreed to reactivate the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to strengthen bilateral economic ties. These negotiations follow a January 2025 executive order by the Trump administration authorizing reciprocal tariffs and a review of major trade agreements, which created uncertainty for Ghanaian exports such as gold jewellery and cocoa derivatives. Ofosu-Adjare is scheduled for follow-up consultations with the Office of the United States Trade Representative in the coming weeks.