U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a major trade policy shift, imposing a 10% baseline tariff on all imports and introducing country-specific reciprocal tariffs. Under this new policy, Nigerian exports to the U.S. will now attract a 14% tariff, in response to what the U.S. government claims is a 27% duty imposed by Nigeria on American goods.
Between 2015 and 2024, Nigeria’s total trade with the U.S. amounted to N31.1 trillion, with imports accounting for N16.4 trillion—8.7% of Nigeria’s global exports—according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Announced during a Rose Garden event labeled “Liberation Day,” Trump described the move as a historic shift toward “fair trade,” aimed at revitalizing American industries and dismantling foreign trade barriers.
“This is one of the most important days in American history,” Trump declared. “We will supercharge our domestic industrial base, pry open foreign markets, and break down foreign trade barriers.”
The tariffs, which take immediate effect, impact over 50 countries, including key U.S. trade partners such as China, the European Union, India, and Japan, as well as several developing economies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Nigeria, along with Ghana, Ethiopia, and Mauritius, is among the African nations affected by the new tariff structure. While not among the highest tariff imposers, Nigeria’s inclusion signals Washington’s broad approach to trade reforms, even affecting nations that previously enjoyed preferential trade terms with the U.S.
