According to the statement, the tariff will apply to goods “entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption” from the stated time. Countries affected by the measure include Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, Lesotho, and Madagascar.
The Trump administration says the decision is part of a broader “reciprocal trade adjustment” aimed at correcting what it considers imbalanced trade relationships with several nations.
South Africa, Libya, Others Face Harsher Penalties
In a more severe blow, South Africa and Libya were hit with a steep 30% import tariff, while Tunisia will face a 25% levy. But the trade offensive is not confined to Africa alone.
The United Kingdom, a long-standing U.S. ally, has now been slapped with a 10% tariff. Meanwhile, India and Japan were not spared, receiving 25% and 15% tariffs respectively.
Trade analysts say the move underscores the Trump administration’s growing commitment to an “America First” trade strategy, even at the risk of alienating strategic partners and worsening global trade tensions.
Nigeria Already on Washington’s Radar
This isn’t Nigeria’s first encounter with Trump’s tariff hammer. On April 2, 2025, the U.S. had already announced an earlier round of trade sanctions that affected Nigerian exports. The latest move is seen as a continuation and expansion of that hardline policy.
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has raised the alarm over the likely impact of the new tariffs on Nigeria’s fragile economy.
“This decision will not only hurt Nigerian exporters but could also lead to increased production costs, reduced trade volumes, and added pressure on foreign exchange reserves,” CPPE warned in a previous economic brief.
Calls for Diplomatic Push
With Nigeria’s export sector facing renewed headwinds, economic stakeholders are urging the Nigerian government to intensify diplomatic engagements with Washington and seek trade waivers or negotiation windows.
Experts say unless a strategic dialogue is initiated swiftly, the tariffs could significantly undermine Nigeria’s access to the U.S. market, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture, textiles, and manufacturing.
The move comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with inflationary pressures and foreign exchange volatility factors that could be exacerbated by a restricted trade flow with one of its largest non-oil export destinations.
