The United States has announced a 12.5 per cent additional tariff on most imports from Nigeria as part of new trade measures targeting countries it says have not done enough to prevent goods produced with forced labour from entering their markets.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the new tariffs on Thursday after investigations conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Under the new policy, countries that have introduced, partially implemented, or pledged to enforce restrictions on forced labour imports will generally face a 10 per cent tariff. Nigeria and other countries that do not meet those conditions will be subject to a 12.5 per cent tariff.
The additional tariffs apply to most imports from the affected countries, although some products are exempt.
According to the USTR, the investigations examined whether countries that failed to effectively ban imports made with forced labour created an unfair disadvantage for American businesses and workers.
The agency launched investigations into 60 economies on March 12, 2026, and concluded on June 2 that the identified practices were actionable under US trade law.
The USTR said the review process included two rounds of public hearings, consultations with more than 45 governments, and thousands of submissions from interested parties.
It added that more than 1,600 written comments were received after the proposed tariffs were announced, while over 100 witnesses testified during another round of public hearings held between July 7 and July 9.
Nigeria was not included among the countries that qualified for the lower 10 per cent tariff and will therefore pay the higher 12.5 per cent rate.
Seventeen countries qualified for the 10 per cent tariff because they have established restrictions against forced labour imports, committed to introducing such measures through trade agreements with the United States, or adopted partial systems to prevent such goods from entering their markets.
The countries are Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom.
The USTR also said different arrangements will apply to some products imported from the European Union, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland, where existing Most-Favoured-Nation tariff rates will be considered.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the new tariffs are meant to encourage America’s trading partners to strengthen efforts against forced labour in global supply chains.
“President Trump recognizes that decades of moral suasion have not eradicated forced labor from global supply chains,” Greer said.
He added, “Washington believed countries benefiting from access to the US market should adopt and effectively enforce measures preventing forced-labour goods from entering international commerce.”
According to the USTR, the 60 economies affected by the action account for about 99.4 per cent of total US imports.
However, some goods will not attract the additional tariffs. These include informational materials, donations, accompanied baggage, products already covered by certain Section 232 tariffs, selected raw materials, and products where higher duties could disrupt US domestic supply or where suitable alternatives are unavailable.
Countries and territories affected by the new tariff include:
12.5% tariff: Algeria, Angola, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guyana, Hong Kong, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, The Bahamas, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela and Vietnam.
10% tariff: Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, European Union, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom.
