U.S. Slams Nigeria’s Import Ban After 14% Tariff: Says It Creates Trade Barrier, Revenue Loss for U.S. Businesses

Nigeria’s long-standing ban on 25 product categories has sparked new criticism from the United States, which accuses the greatest economy of Africa to the development of unfair obstacles that injure American exporters.

The United States Commercial Representative (USTR), in its latest annual report on Obstacles to Foreign Trade, has registered Nigeria among the ten First Nations whose business practices cost American companies to billions of potential export income.

The ban, which covers a wide range of items, including beef, poultry, pharmaceutical products, fruit juices and alcoholic beverages, was reported by Washington as a major obstacle to market access.

“Nigeria’s import ban on 25 categories of different products has an impact on American exporters, especially in agriculture, pharmaceutical products, drinks and consumer goods,” the USTR said in a shared press release on X.

The agency warned that these policies reduce the main American products on the Nigerian market and hinder business growth.

“Restrictions on articles such as beef, pork, poultry, fruit juices, drugs and spirits limit access to the American market and reduce export opportunities.

Criticism is part of a broader push in the United States to face what it considers as anti-competitive or discriminatory business practices worldwide, in particular under the renewed doctrine “America First” by President Donald Trump which aims to protect the national industries and stimulate American exports.

Criticism is considered to be a justification for the 14% rate that the United States has already placed on certain Nigerian exports, with the exception of oil.

For Nigeria, the latter reprimand of Washington Places has added pressure on a government already struggling with weak currency, high inflation and increasing dependence on imports in the middle of exchange reserves. Although import prohibitions were originally designed to encourage local production, stimulating Forex conservation and protecting infants industries, they also created an underground market for limited articles and leads to a persistent smuggling through the country’s porous borders.

Indeed, the United States is not the only ones to raise concerns. The European Union officials and the World Trade Organization have repeatedly reported on Nigeria import restrictions as incompatible with global commercial standards.

A wider list of offenders

Nigeria is part of a growing list of countries opposed by the USTR for policies that Washington believes to harm farmers and manufacturers. India and Thailand have been called to block American ethanol exports, while Kenya was criticized for its 50% tariff on American corn and heavy regulatory obstacles that have effectively kept the closed market.

The USTR noted that the Kenya food corn market is currently worth $ 50 million, with the potential to grow 30% by 2027.

“Securing market access for American farmers will ensure that they can compete on a level playground,” said the report.

China has also been appointed, in particular to undervalue manufacturers of American flags, with losses estimated at 2 million dollars in monthly sales due to less Chinese Chinese imports.

Rising tensions in the middle of Trump’s commercial renewal

The report underlines a growing friction while the United States under the direction of Trump returns to a protectionist posture reminiscent of its first mandate. Commercial analysts suggest that Washington may soon start to explore reprisal measures if the commercial barriers are not treated diplomatic.

This presents a significant risk for Nigeria, especially at a time when he tries to attract foreign direct investments and stabilize his external accounts. Trade relations with the United States remain vital, not only because the United States is a major destination for exports of Nigerian crude oil, but also because American companies play an important role in the country’s energy, pharmaceutical products and the sectors of rapidly evolving consumer goods.

Some in Abuja consider the prohibition as necessary protection for national industries which still fight to recover after years of under-investment and an influx of cheaper imported goods. But others believe that politics has survived its usefulness, with little evidence that it stimulated sustainable local production.

Economic benefits are looming

American criticism intervenes in the middle of the economic slowdown of Nigeria. Inflation has remained two-digit for more than half a decade, and Naira has lost significant value since the introduction of Forex unification policy, increasing the cost of living crisis.

In this context, the Nigerian government is faced with a calculation while American pressure rises, which has led a lot to conclude that it might have to review its protectionist commercial position. Some analysts have warned that if the United States had to review existing commercial concessions, such as the eligibility for Nigeria to preferential access in programs such as African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the consequences could be a large range.

Although no official response has yet come from the Nigeria commercial or foreign ministries, the pressure is likely to rely in the coming weeks for the Tinubu administration to examine the controversial prohibition. Whether it holds firm or begins to retreat the restrictions could shape the next phase of US trade relations-Nigeria.