The Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC) has called on African nations to respond collectively to the sweeping reciprocal tariffs recently announced by the United States. According to the group, a fragmented approach would weaken the continent’s influence in global trade negotiations.
In a press statement, the GITFiC warned that the new U.S. tariff policy—unveiled on April 2, 2025, by President Donald Trump—could trigger significant disruptions for smaller economies, particularly in Africa, unless a coordinated response is mounted.
Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement from the White House Rose Garden introduced a baseline 10% tariff on nearly all U.S. imports, with steeper penalties imposed on about 60 countries. Lesotho, for example, now faces a 50% tariff on its exports to the U.S., while Madagascar, Cambodia, and Laos face rates nearing 50%. Meanwhile, larger economies such as the UK, Brazil, and Singapore have been spared heavier penalties, receiving only the base 10% levy.
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GITFiC analysis: Double standards, disproportionate impact
According to the GITFiC, these tariff levels reflect a strategic imbalance. “While developed economies are cushioned to maintain global trade stability, smaller, developing nations are hit hardest—allegedly to encourage reforms, but with clear economic risks,” the report noted.
Africa, home to a mosaic of developing economies, finds itself caught in a precarious position. Countries like Ghana, Morocco, and Togo are currently subject to the base 10% tariff. But GITFiC warns that without a unified front, individual African nations may lack the capacity or leverage to negotiate better terms or seek redress.
A call for Pan-African solidarity
The GITFiC has urged African nations to utilize regional platforms like the African Union (AU) and AfCFTA to coordinate a unified response. “Given that over 80% of African nations lack the capacity to retaliate effectively on their own, a collective response is essential to maximize impact,” the organization said.
The think tank further recommended that affected African countries invoke WTO Article XXIII, which allows for dispute resolution and legal redress in cases of trade disruption. It also encouraged the pursuit of economic compensation and reversal of the tariffs through the World Trade Organization’s adjudication system.
Reactions to US tariffs
Reactions to the U.S. tariffs have been swift and widespread. China has imposed a 34% reciprocal tariff on U.S. imports, while Canada has slapped a 25% tariff on American auto exports. The European Union is preparing a countermeasures package targeting U.S. steel, signaling the potential for escalating trade tensions globally.
GITFiC warned that Africa must not be a passive observer in this unfolding scenario. “The traditional framework of global trade is being redrawn. This is not the time for Africa to retreat into silos,” said Selasi Koffi Ackom, CEO of GITFiC.
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Drawing parallels with the global economic setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the GITFiC emphasized the need to maintain momentum in Africa’s economic recovery. It suggested that coordinated efforts under its Global Debt Initiative could help the continent avoid a repeat of the fiscal shocks that left many African economies struggling between 2020 and 2022.
“Trade tariffs, like pandemics, ripple through economies disproportionately. Fair trade, not trade wars, must be the order of the day,” the statement concluded.
