“Nigeria’s import ban on 25 different product categories impacts US exporters, particularly in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods.”
The United States, under former President Donald Trump’s administration, has imposed a 14% trade tariff on Nigerian exports in retaliation for Nigeria’s import restrictions on 25 product categories. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the measure, stating that Nigeria’s 2016 import ban limits American manufacturers’ expansion into the Nigerian market.
The USTR said, “Nigeria’s import ban on 25 different product categories impacts US exporters, particularly in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods.” It highlighted restrictions on beef, pork, poultry, fruit juices, medicaments, and spirits as major trade barriers causing lost revenue for U.S. businesses.
Nigeria’s banned items, listed by the Federal Ministry of Finance in 2016, include frozen poultry, refined vegetable oil, bagged cement, fruit juices, soap, detergents, mosquito coils, used vehicles over 15 years old, and telephone recharge vouchers. Also prohibited are certain pharmaceuticals (e.g., paracetamol, chloroquine), plastic wares, carpets, footwear, and furniture.
The USTR noted that while Nigeria aims to boost local production, the policy has stifled U.S. export opportunities. “These policies create significant trade barriers that lead to lost revenue for US businesses looking to expand in the Nigerian market,” it stated.