Trump Reverses Cocoa and Agricultural Tariffs on Ghana

The government of Ghana announced on Monday that it had received official confirmation from the United States that US President Donald Trump had completely canceled the 15% tariffs he had previously imposed on Ghana's exports of cocoa and some agricultural products.

1. Decision Details and Economic Impact

• Tariff Cancellation: Ghanaian Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in the article) confirmed that the 15% tariff on eligible Ghanaian cocoa and agricultural products was withdrawn under a new executive order issued by President Trump, effective November 13, 2025.

• Economic Gain: This decision represents a reversal of a trade policy that severely affected the cost of Ghanaian products entering the US market. Ghana is the world's second-largest cocoa producer.

• Additional Revenue: Ghana is expected to earn an additional $60 million annually as a result of the tariff elimination, considering its export of about 78,000 metric tons of cocoa beans to the US annually.

• Benefiting Products: The exemption also covers other agricultural products such as cashew nuts, avocados, bananas, mangoes, plantains, pineapples, coconuts, ginger, and peppers.

2. Sensitive Timing for Bilateral Relations

The tariff reversal comes at a sensitive time for Accra-Washington relations:

• Deportation Issue: Ghana recently agreed to receive dozens of deportees from the US (all from West African nations) under "humanitarian considerations," despite internal criticism.

• Visa Restrictions: The US also lifted visa restrictions on Ghanaians after months of negotiations.

• Ghana's Welcome: Analysts view the reversal as a diplomatic win for Ghana, with one expert noting that the cocoa sector, "the backbone of Ghana's agricultural economy, will be the biggest beneficiary."