The United States has imposed a 12.5 per cent tariff on imports from Nigeria, making the country one of several affected by Washington’s latest trade measures.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which said the new tariffs apply to countries that do not meet certain U.S. trade policy requirements.
According to the USTR, the affected countries include Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and the United Kingdom. While Nigeria faces a 12.5 per cent tariff, the other countries will be subject to a 10 per cent rate.
The latest action marks another step by the administration of President Donald Trump to reshape global trade through the use of U.S. trade laws.
The tariffs come six months after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the White House’s attempt to impose broad global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
Following the ruling, President Trump turned to the Trade Act of 1974, invoking Section 122 to introduce a universal 10 per cent tariff on all imports into the United States for up to 150 days.
The administration later increased the tariff to 15 per cent, with the temporary measure scheduled to expire on Friday.
Explaining the latest decision, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the action followed investigations involving 60 economies, two rounds of public hearings, consultations with more than 45 governments, and thousands of public submissions.
Greer said the new measures are part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to strengthen U.S. trade policy and encourage greater compliance with its import standards.
The new tariff is expected to affect Nigerian exports to the United States as trade relations between both countries continue to evolve under Washington’s revised trade policy.
