America Complains of 25 Items Banned by Nigeria, Says it Deepens Trade Imbalance
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) hss complained of Nigeria’s 25 products ban, insisting that the actions were creating unwanted barriers to US exports and preventing free trade.
This observation is amid ongoing trade tensions between the two nations, following tariffs imposed on goods coming into the United States under the administration of President Donald Trump, and now commanding a 14% tariff on Nigerian imports.
According to reports by the USTR, recent import restrictions imposed by Nigeria disproportionately target major US industries such as agriculture, pharma, soft drinks, and a wide range of consumer products.
“These Nigerian import restrictions limit U.S. exporters’ access to markets and disrupt established trade flows,” a USTR spokesman said. “The United States is dedicated to free, fair, and reciprocal trade, and we are concerned by actions that undermine these principles.”
The USTR’s response criticizes Nigeria’s reason behind the bans, often provided in the form of a necessity to promote domestic manufacturing and reduce imports.
The USTR argues that the actions deviate from global trade norms and end up hurting both economies in the long run.
The consequences of the rising trade tensions are wide-reaching. US exporters, already fighting against the economic winds of the world, may suffer even decreased access to the valuable Nigerian market, while Nigerian businesses remain bogged down by the continuing tariffs on exporting goods to the US.
