United States President, Donald Trump, has announced a new 14 per cent tariff on goods exported from Nigeria to the U.S in a bold move to reshape global trade.
The decision, unveiled during a “Make America Wealthy Again” event in the White House Rose Garden on Wednesday, is part of an aggressive strategy to address trade imbalances and protect American industries.
The Trump administration argues that Nigeria has long imposed a 27 per cent tariff on U.S. exports, creating an uneven playing field.
In response, the newly imposed tariff on Nigerian goods aims to offset this disparity and realign trade relations between both nations.
Trump, in his speech, positioned the tariff as a cornerstone of his administration’s broader effort to enforce what he calls “fair” trade practices.
He emphasized that the policy would reinvigorate American industries, force open foreign markets, and create a more competitive economic environment.
“This is one of the most important days in American history,” Trump declared. “We will supercharge our domestic industrial base. We will pry open foreign markets and break down foreign trade barriers, and ultimately, more production at home will mean stronger competition and lower prices for consumers.”
The Nigerian tariff is just one part of a sweeping trade overhaul. The U.S. has introduced a baseline 10 per cent tariff on all imports, impacting over 50 countries, including key trade partners such as China, the European Union, India, and Japan.
African nations are also affected, with Algeria facing a 30 per cent tariff, Lesotho 50 per cent, Mauritius 40 per cent, Namibia 21 per cent, and both Kenya and Ghana subjected to a 10 per cent duty. South Africa, in a direct countermeasure, will now face a reciprocal 30 per cent tariff.
Trump framed the initiative as a pivotal step toward economic revitalization, stating, “This will be, indeed, the golden age of Americans coming back. We’re going to come back very strongly.”
The policy, which takes immediate effect, has already sent ripples through global markets, raising concerns about potential trade conflicts.
With the U.S. reinforcing its stance on economic protectionism, many analysts are bracing for possible retaliatory measures from affected nations.
As the world reacts, Nigeria and other impacted countries will now have to navigate a new trade landscape—one where the U.S. is redefining the rules of global commerce on its own terms.
