US Travel Ban: While Washington Tightens Grip, China Opens Arms – The Fate of Africa’s Trade Alliance

It is emerging that the President Donald Trump administration’s move to impose another travel visa restriction on some 36 countries, including Ghana, is another move that could deepen the flourishing China-Africa affair.

An economist is confirming that the move by the US is likely to shift Africa’s trade and economic ties with America to China, accelerating Africa’s eastward shift.

In a classified directive issued by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this month, countries were given a 60-day ultimatum to meet stringent security and immigration benchmarks or risk full or partial travel bans.

Although Ghana has had cordial bilateral relations with the US, the country’s inclusion on the list could mark a potential fallout that goes far beyond passports and visas.

Like other African countries on the list, it could reshape the trade alliances, remittance flows, investment climate, and long-term economic strategy.

The Price of a Ban: How Ghana and Africa Stand to Lose

It may appear that the proposed U.S. travel ban is limited to immigration. But its economic impact is more than what meets the eye.

Business travel and trade deals will be the first to suffer. Ghanaian entrepreneurs, agribusinesses, and fintech innovators may find it increasingly difficult to participate in U.S. expos, pitch to investors, or form critical partnerships.

From cocoa and cashew exports to software-as-a-service products, U.S.-bound ambitions may have to be rerouted or shelved altogether.

Even more pressing is the long-term impact on diaspora and remittances. Ghana’s U.S.-based diaspora contributes over $3 billion annually in remittances, a lifeline for families and a major source of foreign exchange. With visa barriers tightening, fewer students, professionals, and family members may be able to travel, curbing the future growth of this financial artery.

Impact on investor sentiments cannot be left out of the equation. Travel restrictions typically send signals of severed diplomatic relations. If Washington brands Ghana as non-cooperative on deportations or security, U.S. investors may think twice before doing business, scaling back on FDI, development finance, or technical partnerships.

Why the Timing Matters

Ironically, the timing couldn’t be more consequential. Just as the United States is retreating through tightening restrictions, China is rather throwing open its doors.

Beijing, in a latest move, announced zero-tariff access for 98% of goods from 33 African Least Developed Countries (LDCs), positioning itself as the trade partner of choice for a continent hungry for market access, infrastructure, and investment.

This means that, should the ban be implemented, it would be easier for African traders, exporters, entrepreneurs, among others, to access China’s market. Already, China is the leading export destination for African countries, and this move is expected to shift the trade, which would have gone to the West, to the East.

In essence, while America is threatening to close its doors, China is rolling out the red carpet for Africa. Through its zero-tariff initiative, African nations now enjoy duty-free access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.

For Ghana, this presents a golden opportunity to deepen exports of cocoa derivatives, cashew, fish, textiles, and even shea products, without the bureaucratic hurdles or security stipulations imposed by the U.S.

The Expert View

Economist at the Pentecost University, Dr. Paul Appiah Konadu, confirms to The High Street Journal that the proposed ban is likely to propel an eastward trade alliance with China.

He explains that the already existing trade relations, where China is the leading trading partner with Africa, will make the shift easier.

“I think that will rather increase Ghana’s trade with China, because already China is a major trade partner in terms of exports. China is the most pronounced country, or the leading country in terms of Ghana’s exports, so if the travel restrictions do come into being, that will mean that Ghanaian businessmen will have no option than to look after China for partnerships, for trade deals, and also for even FDI,” he indicated.

However, Dr. Appiah-Konadu believes this is a moment of reflection for African countries to rethink the intra-African trade. He believes it is unacceptable for intra-African trade to hover around less than 20%. The economist maintains it is time for the continent to look within and depend on itself rather than the West and the East, who will always prioritize their interest over the continent.

“It is also a signal that we should develop intra-African trade, because it’s unacceptable that in this day and age, trade between and among African countries is still less than 20 percent, between 14 to 18 percent. If anything at all, we should have learned a lesson from COVID, when the West prioritised its citizens ahead of us,” he cautioned.

The Bottomline

Despite China embracing Africa with open arms as the U.S. threatens to impose sanctions, the continent is advised to look within and build its own resilience, devoid on the on the West and East.

Moreover, the future of global trade is being redrawn. If travel restrictions go into effect, the U.S. may find itself watching from the sidelines as Africa turns its trade compass east, toward a China that welcomes.

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