Economy
Trump Imposes 15% Tariff on Nigerian Imports in Global Trade Crackdown
US President Donald Trump has imposed a 15% import tariff on Nigeria, as part of a sweeping new trade order targeting dozens of countries globally.
The updated reciprocal tariff rates were officially announced by the White House on Thursday, signaling a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s ongoing trade offensive that began earlier in the year.
In April, Trump had imposed an initial 14% tariff on Nigerian imports, with a 90-day grace period granted for bilateral trade negotiations. That window expired on August 1 without any new trade agreements, leading to the activation of the increased 15% tariff.
According to the revised tariff schedule, Nigeria joins a long list of affected nations, including Angola, Ghana, South Korea, Turkey, Japan, Israel, and Norway. While Nigeria had attempted to secure an individual trade deal during the negotiation period, discussions failed to yield results.
Further complicating relations, the US administration also reintroduced travel restrictions affecting multiple African nations. Though Nigeria was initially exempt, it was eventually added to the list as policies evolved.
Speaking on the matter, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, emphasized West Africa’s willingness to deepen trade ties with the United States but described the travel bans as a major diplomatic roadblock.
Beyond Nigeria, countries face varying tariff rates under the new schedule: 10% tariffs apply to the UK, Falkland Islands, and others, 15% tariffs hit Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, Turkey, South Korea, and more, 18%–20% tariffs target Nicaragua, Indonesia, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, 25%–41% tariffs are imposed on India, South Africa, Iraq, Syria, and others, Switzerland faces 39%, while Laos and Myanmar are hit with 40%, Syria tops the list at 41%.
In the Americas, Canada now faces a 35% tariff, and Mexico has been handed multiple levies, including a 50% duty on metals. Brazil, already under a 10% duty, received an additional 40% charge, raising its total to 50%.
