Washington targets 60 countries in sweeping trade action, says move will pressure partners to clean up global supply chains

Nigeria has been hit with a 12.5 per cent tariff on exports to the United States, as Washington ramps up pressure on countries it says are not doing enough to block goods produced with forced labour.

The measure, announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), affects imports from 60 economies flagged for failing to “impose and effectively enforce” bans on forced labour-linked goods.

While Nigeria falls into the higher 12.5 per cent bracket, countries such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and the United Kingdom will face a lower 10 per cent tariff after either implementing or committing to enforce restrictions on such imports.

The decision follows a months-long investigation launched in May 2026 under Section 301 of the US Trade Act, targeting major trading partners. The probe drew over 1,600 public submissions, featured testimony from more than 100 witnesses, and involved consultations with over 45 governments.

According to the USTR, countries that have taken concrete steps to block forced labour imports qualify for the reduced 10 per cent tariff. Others—like Nigeria—will face steeper duties until stronger measures are introduced.

A Federal Register notice detailing Nigeria’s case confirmed that the tariff will apply to most Nigerian exports, with limited exemptions for specific goods listed in official annexes.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the move reflects growing frustration in Washington over the persistence of forced labour in global trade.

“The United States has maintained a forced labour import ban for nearly a century. It is time for our trading partners to match that commitment,” Greer said.

The tariffs form part of a broader trade push by President Donald Trump, who recently invoked provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose temporary import duties after a wider tariff plan was blocked by the US Supreme Court.

However, the USTR clarified that certain goods will be exempted from the new tariffs, including critical raw materials, products that could disrupt the US economy, and items not readily available from domestic or alternative sources.

Additional exemptions may also apply where tariffs are unlikely to address the underlying trade concerns.

The policy signals a tougher US stance on ethical sourcing and could have significant implications for Nigerian exporters, particularly those reliant on access to the American market.