Trump Imposes 15% Tariffs On Nigeria, Multiple African Countries

President Donald Trump has imposed a 15 percent tariff on Nigerian exports to the United States, effective August 7, 2025, as part of a broader adjustment to the U.S. reciprocal tariff system targeting nearly 40 countries with unbalanced trade relationships. This new tariff follows an earlier 14 percent tariff imposed in April, which was temporarily suspended for negotiations that ultimately failed. Nigeria, which holds a $3.29 billion trade surplus with the U.S. and is the second-largest U.S. export destination in Sub-Saharan Africa, faces these tariffs amid concerns over systemic trade abuses and transshipment evasion tactics, with an additional 40 percent penalty on rerouted goods. The tariff list also extends to other African countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, and South Africa, the latter facing a 30 percent tariff, as well as countries outside Africa such as the United Kingdom, India, and Japan. This escalation reflects the Trump administration's increasingly protectionist trade stance, aiming to restore fairness and address trade deficits, with further tariff increases threatened against nations aligned with anti-American policies, including Nigeria's BRICS membership. The policy has raised concerns among Nigerian economic stakeholders about potential cost hikes, reduced trade volumes, and foreign exchange pressures.