Czech President Petr Pavel sharply condemned the United States’ imposition of sweeping tariffs on African nations, including Ghana, calling the move “brutal” and “unfortunate.” Speaking alongside Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama during a joint press conference at Jubilee House on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Pavel decried the lack of consultation prior to the tariff decision and emphasized the need for multilateral, rule-based trade frameworks.

The tariffs, which range from 10% to 50% on goods imported from dozens of countries, have sparked widespread criticism. While the White House has framed the move as a strategy to protect American industries, opponents argue it could undermine the economies of developing nations, particularly in Africa.

Mr.Pavel expressed concerns that such measures would harm not only African economies but also global trade relations. “Imposing tariffs in such a brutal way does not benefit anyone. It will not help Africa, nor will it help Europe, Asia, or even the United States,” Pavel said. He warned that the tariffs, particularly on the world’s poorest countries like Lesotho, Cambodia, and Laos, could devastate their fragile economies.

The Czech leader called for a collective diplomatic response to urge the U.S. to reconsider its approach. “We need to address the United States collectively, to reconsider these actions and engage in negotiations, because inflicting such damage on these economies will create problems that could become much more costly in the long run,” Pavel added.

Echoing Pavel’s remarks, President Mahama lamented the erosion of the global trade system built on multilateral cooperation. “We all agreed to a rule-based trading system, which has fostered global economic growth,” Mahama stated, emphasizing the negative effects on smaller economies such as Lesotho, where a 46% tariff has been imposed.

The Ghanaian president underscored that industries such as textiles, which rely on preferential trade agreements like AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), would suffer significant setbacks due to these new tariffs. “For a country like Lesotho, which depends heavily on garment exports to the United States, these tariffs will have a devastating impact,” Mahama warned.

The two leaders, who are in the midst of a three-day state visit, also discussed broader bilateral relations and potential future cooperation between Ghana and the Czech Republic.

Source:TheDotNews