The United States Trade Representative on Monday, criticised Nigeria’s import ban on 25 categories of goods, claiming that the restrictions limit market access for American exporters.
This came shortly after President Donald Trump introduced tariffs on goods entering the US, with Nigeria facing a 14 per cent duty.
The USTR highlighted the impact of Nigeria’s import ban on various sectors, particularly agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods.
The restrictions affect items such as beef, pork, poultry, fruit juices, medicaments, and alcoholic beverages, which the US sees as significant barriers to trade.
The agency argues that these limitations reduce export opportunities for US businesses and lead to lost revenue.
“Nigeria’s import ban on 25 different product categories impacts U.S. exporters, particularly in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods.
“Restrictions on items like beef, pork, poultry, fruit juices, medicaments, and spirits limit U.S. market access and reduce export opportunities.
“These policies create significant trade barriers that lead to lost revenue for U.S. businesses looking to expand in the Nigerian market,” the agency said via its X handle.
In 2016, Nigeria implemented the ban on these 25 items as part of efforts to control imports and stimulate local production.
Some of the banned items include poultry, pork, refined vegetable oil, sugar, cocoa products, spaghetti, beer, and certain medicines.
On March 26, 2025, the Federal Government also announced plans to halt solar panel imports to encourage local manufacturing as part of its push for clean energy.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr. Wale Edun and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday in Abuja allayed any worries over President Donald Trump’s trade policies, which continue to rattle global stakeholders.
Edun, who spoke at the launch of a corporate governance scorecard for government-owned enterprises, said members of the economic management team are re-evaluating national economic assumptions in the light of the new tariff regime.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government would consider all possibilities and respond appropriately.
Edun said the economic team was reviewing current projections and the underlying assumptions in the budget, particularly those for the first quarter of the year, to assess how the new external trade dynamics could impact fiscal performance and trade volumes.
According to him, the US tariffs could be a mixed bag of opportunities and challenges, and the country would respond in strategic ways that prioritise the sustainable growth of the economy.
In a wide range of tariffs targeted at the country’s trading with the U.S., President Donald Trump last week slammed a 14 per cent levy on imports from Nigeria.
The announcement sent capital across the world, including the U.S., tumbling.
Another side effect is the crash in the price of crude which is now between $65 and $67.
Edun said: “We are going back to the drawing board to look at our budget all over again.
“We have to see what changes have occurred in the assumptions that underlay the production of that budget and compare them to the reality observed in the first quarter, as well as projections.
“It’s not too bad, especially compared to countries like Vietnam that are facing 46 per cent tariffs. This situation presents Nigeria with an opportunity.
“Given our relatively stable economy and attractive investment environment, if production is becoming unfeasible in countries like Vietnam, companies can consider Nigeria instead.”
While the newly imposed tariffs are not expected to affect Nigeria’s oil and mineral exports to the U.S., sectors that form a major component of the country’s export revenue non-oil exports have been affected by a 14 per cent tariff, a development that calls for strategic repositioning.
Edun noted that Nigeria remains open for investors, offering competitive exchange rates, export potential, and market size.
He pointed out that Nigeria had already been applying a 27 per cent tariff on U.S. exports even before the U.S. imposed its own.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said relevant stakeholders were studying the situation.
“Countries impose tariffs, which are generally taxes on imported goods, for several economic, political, and strategic reasons.
“These include the protection of domestic industries and promotion of job creation, increase in government revenue, retaliation against unfair trade practices, correcting trade imbalances, etc.
“Relevant stakeholders are studying the situation. Rest assured that the government will critically analyse the impact of the new tariffs on the nation’s economy and respond appropriately in the interest of the country,” he said.
Other countries, like China, Canada, and the EU, among others, have responded to Trump’s tariffs slammed on them, which took effect on Saturday.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar had last Friday engaged the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau virtually.
A statement from the Ministry was however silent on whether the new tariffs issue was part of the discussions.
But Tuggar and Landau were said to have stressed the importance of strengthening commercial ties, enhancing security collaboration, and deepening diplomatic engagements.
Landau was said to have reiterated U.S. commitment to a strong and enduring partnership with Nigeria.
“During the meeting, Tuggar and Landau highlighted key areas of cooperation, including energy, technology, trade, human capital development, security, religious freedom, and immigration.
“Minister Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to partner with the Trump administration to foster shared goals and enhance bilateral relations,” a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
