President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the growing trend of unilateral tariffs by some countries is creating confusion and uncertainty in the global economy.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the Premier of the State Council of China, Li Qiang, President Mahama called for stronger alliances among nations that believe in cooperation and shared values.
“The world is changing rapidly. After the Second World War, we all agreed that we would adopt a multilateral world order.
“Unfortunately, some countries have decided to act unilaterally both in terms of their relationships with other nations and in terms of destroying the rules-based world trade order that we all had agreed to.”
President Mahama noted that the imposition of unilateral tariffs has disrupted fair trade and created instability across economies.
“Countries are slapping tariffs unilaterally on others. My own country, Ghana, has not been spared. We’ve been slapped with 15% tariffs, but I’m sure that is far less than what China has been hit with. It’s creating a lot of confusion and unpredictability in the whole world,” he explained.
He said that such uncertainty calls for greater unity among countries that uphold international cooperation and fairness in global trade.
“This is a time when countries that share values must stand together. Ghana and China have shared values. We have voted on the same side in international organisations. As the world becomes more unpredictable, this is the time for countries like Ghana and China and other willing partners who believe in multilateralism to stand even closer together.”
President Mahama also commended China for its ongoing support to Africa through the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative, describing them as key drivers of infrastructure and trade development across the continent.
“Let me congratulate China and thank you for the support you continue to give to Africa through FOCAC and the Belt and Road Initiative,” he said.
“These programmes are opening up infrastructure that facilitates trade. As Africa implements the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), it becomes even more important that we invest in railways, ports, and roads to enable the free movement of goods between African countries. China has been one of the key partners assisting in this regard,” the President added.
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