Nigeria Faces New US Tariffs Under Revised Trade Measures
Nigeria has been included in a new round of United States import tariffs affecting 60 trading partners, as Washington rolls out revised trade measures aimed at reshaping global commerce.
The new tariffs, which took effect on Friday, replace an earlier temporary duty introduced by the US government this year. The rates range between 10 and 12.5 per cent, with countries assigned different levels based on trade and labour-related criteria.
Major economies affected include China, India, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, Canada and the United Kingdom, alongside Nigeria and several other nations.
According to US trade officials, countries that have implemented or committed to enforcing bans on goods produced through forced labour were assigned the lower 10 per cent tariff. Others were subjected to the higher 12.5 per cent rate.
The policy follows a review conducted under US trade laws after earlier tariff measures faced legal setbacks. Officials said the revised framework is designed to provide a stronger legal basis for future trade actions.
Several countries criticised the decision, with governments describing the tariffs as unnecessary and warning they could disrupt international trade. China opposed the measures, while Japan and Australia also expressed concerns over the new policy.
Some economies, including the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Switzerland, secured partial relief through existing trade agreements with Washington.
Products already covered by separate sector-specific tariffs, including steel and aluminium, are excluded from the latest measures. Certain energy products, fertilisers and goods traded under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement are also exempt.
The US government is simultaneously reviewing trade practices in several other countries, a process that could lead to additional tariffs in the future.
Trade analysts say the latest move signals a continued protectionist approach by the United States and could reshape global trade relationships while increasing pressure on affected economies to negotiate new agreements.
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