The United States has imposed an additional 12.5 per cent tariff on most imports from Nigeria as part of new trade measures targeting countries accused of failing to effectively block goods made with forced labour from entering their markets.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the measures on Thursday, setting different tariff rates for 60 major US trading partners following investigations conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Under the new arrangement, countries considered to have introduced, partially implemented, or committed to enforcing bans on forced-labour imports will generally face a 10 per cent tariff. Nigeria and other countries that do not meet those conditions will instead attract the higher 12.5 per cent rate.
The tariffs apply to most imports from the affected countries, though some categories of goods are exempted.
According to the USTR, the investigations assessed whether these countries’ failure to enforce bans on forced-labour goods placed an unfair burden on American businesses and workers. The probe covered 60 economies and was launched on March 12, 2026, with a determination reached on June 2 that the practices identified were actionable under US trade law.
The agency said the process included two rounds of public hearings, consultations with more than 45 governments, and thousands of submissions from interested parties. It also reviewed over 1,600 written comments and held a further round of hearings from July 7 to 9, where more than 100 witnesses testified.
Nigeria did not qualify for the lower 10 per cent rate and will therefore be subject to the 12.5 per cent tariff.
17 Countries Get Lower Rate
Seventeen countries qualified for the reduced 10 per cent rate because they had either put in place restrictions against forced-labour imports, committed to such measures through trade agreements with Washington, or adopted partial regimes to keep such goods out.
They 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.
Separate arrangements apply to certain products from the European Union, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland, where tariff calculations will factor in existing Most-Favoured-Nation rates.
All other countries covered by the investigation, including Nigeria, will generally face the 12.5 per cent tariff.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the measure was designed to pressure America’s trading partners into stronger action against forced labour in global supply chains. He said years of diplomatic pressure had failed to eliminate the practice, and that countries benefiting from access to the US market should be expected to enforce measures preventing forced-labour goods from entering global trade.
The USTR noted that the 60 countries covered by the action account for about 99.4 per cent of total US imports.
Certain goods are excluded from the additional tariffs, including informational materials, donations, accompanied baggage, and products already subject to specific Section 232 tariffs. Other exemptions cover select raw materials and goods where extra duties could disrupt US domestic supply or where alternatives are not readily available.
Full List Of Countries And Tariff Rates
Algeria – 12.5
Angola – 12.5
Argentina – 10
Australia – 12.5
Bahrain – 12.5
Bangladesh – 10
Brazil – 12.5
Cambodia – 10
Canada – 10
Chile – 12.5
China – 12.5
Colombia – 12.5
Costa Rica – 12.5
Dominican Republic – 12.5
Ecuador – 10
Egypt – 12.5
El Salvador – 10
European Union – 10
Guatemala – 10
Guyana – 12.5
Honduras – 10
Hong Kong – 12.5
India – 10
Indonesia – 10
Iraq – 12.5
Israel – 12.5
Japan – 12.5
Jordan – 10
Kazakhstan – 12.5
Kuwait – 12.5
Libya – 12.5
Malaysia – 10
Mexico – 10
Morocco – 12.5
New Zealand – 12.5
Nicaragua – 12.5
Nigeria – 12.5
Norway – 12.5
Oman – 12.5
Pakistan – 10
Peru – 12.5
Philippines – 12.5
Qatar – 12.5
Russia – 12.5
Saudi Arabia – 12.5
Singapore – 12.5
South Africa – 12.5
South Korea – 12.5
Sri Lanka – 10
Switzerland – 12.5
Taiwan – 10
Thailand – 12.5
The Bahamas – 12.5
Trinidad and Tobago – 10
Turkey – 12.5
United Arab Emirates – 12.5
United Kingdom – 10
Uruguay – 12.5
Venezuela – 12.5
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