The United States has imposed new tariffs ranging from 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent on imports from Nigeria and 59 other countries, citing concerns over the failure of affected trading partners to adequately prevent the importation of goods produced through forced labour.
The new levies, which took effect on Friday, affect major economies including China, India and the European Union, amid growing international reactions to the latest trade measures by the administration of President Donald Trump.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the United States had enforced a ban on imports linked to forced labour for nearly a century, arguing that trading partners should adopt and enforce similar measures.
“The United States has had a forced labour import ban for nearly a century and rigorously enforces it; it’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same,” Greer said.
The tariffs were introduced as a temporary 10 per cent global tariff expired. The new measures were imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, according to reports, and are expected to affect a significant share of US imports, although some products, including oil, gas and fertiliser, are exempt.
The move has drawn criticism from some of the affected countries, with governments disputing the US justification and questioning the fairness of the tariffs.
For Nigeria, the new tariff regime could have implications for exporters seeking access to the US market, particularly as the country continues efforts to expand non-oil exports and strengthen its trade relationship with the United States.
Full list of affected countries
According to the tariff announcement, the 60 affected countries and trading blocs include:
- Nigeria
- China
- India
- Japan
- South Korea
- Vietnam
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- European Union
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Taiwan
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Mongolia
- Kazakhstan
- Uzbekistan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Georgia
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Turkey
- Israel
- Jordan
- Egypt
- South Africa
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Ethiopia
- Rwanda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Mozambique
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Angola
- Cameroon
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Senegal
- Tunisia
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Mauritius
- Madagascar
- Democratic Republic of Congo
The tariffs range between 10 per cent and 12.5 per cent, with the US administration maintaining that the measures are intended to address forced-labour concerns and promote fairer trading practices.
