Czech President condemns U.S. tariffs on Ghana and Africa as unilateral and harmful

The president of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, has strongly criticised the United States for imposing sweeping tariffs on African countries, including Ghana, without prior consultation or negotiation.

He described the move as “brutal” and “unfortunate,” calling for a return to multilateral, rule-based trade discussions.

Speaking during a joint press conference with President John Dramani Mahama at Jubilee House on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, President Pavel said the tariffs risk harming global economies and disproportionately affect vulnerable nations.

“I think imposing tariffs in such a brutal way doesn’t help either side. It will not help the situation in Africa, and it will not help the situation in Europe, Asia, and even the United States,” Pavel said.

The United States, under a recent policy shift, introduced tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% on imports from dozens of countries. While the White House has argued the move is aimed at protecting American industry, critics warn that it threatens economic stability in less-developed nations.

“Concerning many African and Asian countries, especially those that belong among the poorest globally, like Lesotho or Cambodia and Laos, they are charged the biggest tariffs in history. It could be easily destroying their economies,” Pavel added.

The Czech leader urged a united international response to engage the United States diplomatically.

“I think that we have to collectively address the United States to rethink this approach and to negotiate… not destroying countries, because by damaging their economies so much, it would create many problems that will have to be dealt with later on that may prove much more costly,” he cautioned.

President John Mahama echoed the Czech leader’s sentiments, lamenting the undermining of a globally accepted, rule-based trading system.

“We all accepted a rule-based trading system, and it has served the world well because it has led to quite significant growth in GDP across the world,” Mahama stated.

He highlighted the case of Lesotho, which received a 46% tariff, warning of the damaging impact on fragile economies.

“If you understand that one of the largest contributors to Lesotho’s economy is the trade and garments industry, exports and the AGOA to the United States, then you can be sure that it’s going to affect a small country like Lesotho,” Mahama noted.

“We must look at the broader global partnerships and the global interests rather than just our parochial national interests,” he added.

The remarks were made during the Czech President’s three-day state visit to Ghana, where the two leaders also discussed bilateral ties, trade cooperation, and future collaborations between Ghana and the Czech Republic