He argued that the move, initiated by former President Donald Trump, reflects a belief that countries were unfairly benefiting from the U.S. to its disadvantage.
Pratt stated that these tariffs create the impression that America is being exploited by the rest of the world, but he strongly disagreed with this view.
He pointed out that it is actually the U.S. that has historically exploited other nations through various means, including wars, the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, and neocolonialism.
Speaking on Pan African TV on April 12, 2025, Pratt explained that the U.S. had a history of undermining influential leaders like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who played a pivotal role in awakening political consciousness across Africa.
He cited the industrialization efforts led by Nkrumah in Ghana, which were allegedly a factor in his overthrow, an event that some attribute to the intervention of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Pratt expressed that if any nation had the right to consider itself exploited, it would certainly not be the United States, but rather countries like Ghana and other former colonies.
He further argued that America’s attempts to reclaim industrial prominence would be unsuccessful, as global production dynamics have significantly evolved.
He highlighted the changing labor structure in the U.S., which has shifted from the era of free labor provided by enslaved Black people to a modern workforce that is unwilling to accept low wages.
Pratt suggested that no matter how high tariffs might rise, they will not be enough to restore production to the U.S., as the cost of labor in America is much higher compared to countries like China.
“Even if Trump imposes 10,000 % tariffs on the world, it will not be able to bring production back to the USA. The cost of labour per the framework of America can never be as cheap as labour in China and other industrialised countries,” he said.
He used the example of Nike shoes to illustrate this point, explaining that while the cost of production for a pair of shoes might be $1,000 in the U.S., the same product could be made for just $10 in China.