The US has put a 10% tax on some things Ghana sells to America, but their ambassador says they didn't single out Ghana. Virginia Palmer told everyone this tax affects many countries as part of America's plan to fix trade problems around the world. She explained that the US government can make these kinds of rules when they think something threatens their economy. The tax started working on April 5th this year under a 1977 law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Palmer talked about all this with Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa during a meeting in Accra on Monday. Trade Deputy Minister Sampson Ahi joined them as well. Palmer listened to what worried the Ghanaian officials and made clear that America wasn't trying to hurt Ghana's business. She pointed out that Ghana can still sell oil, gas, and energy products to America without paying the extra tax.
Good news came up about AGOA products staying tax-free. AGOA helps African countries sell things to America without paying taxes. Both sides talked about maybe keeping cocoa and clothes off the tax list since these matter a lot to Ghana's economy. They promised to work together to stop people from losing jobs because of the new tax rules.
The foreign affairs people and trade ministry said they'll keep talking with American officials to help protect Ghana's businesses and economy. Despite these new challenges with trade, Ghana and America said they still have strong friendships. They plan to keep building better business connections even though these new taxes create some problems.
Palmer talked about all this with Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa during a meeting in Accra on Monday. Trade Deputy Minister Sampson Ahi joined them as well. Palmer listened to what worried the Ghanaian officials and made clear that America wasn't trying to hurt Ghana's business. She pointed out that Ghana can still sell oil, gas, and energy products to America without paying the extra tax.
Good news came up about AGOA products staying tax-free. AGOA helps African countries sell things to America without paying taxes. Both sides talked about maybe keeping cocoa and clothes off the tax list since these matter a lot to Ghana's economy. They promised to work together to stop people from losing jobs because of the new tax rules.
The foreign affairs people and trade ministry said they'll keep talking with American officials to help protect Ghana's businesses and economy. Despite these new challenges with trade, Ghana and America said they still have strong friendships. They plan to keep building better business connections even though these new taxes create some problems.
