₦airaland Forum

The United States has imposed a new 12.5% tariff on all products imported from Nigeria after determining that the country failed to impose and effectively enforce a ban on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.

The action was announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in a notice issued on Thursday, following a Section 301 investigation into the trade practices of 60 economies, including Nigeria.

According to the USTR, Nigeria was among 54 economies found to have failed to establish and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced wholly or partly with forced labour.

As a result, the U.S. government said Nigerian exports to the American market will now attract an additional 12.5% duty, except for products covered by specified exemptions outlined in the notice. The new tariffs take effect from 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on July 24, 2026, with a short grace period for goods already in transit.

The USTR explained that economies which have already enacted and enforced forced labour import prohibitions, committed to doing so through an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), or implemented partial regimes preventing the importation of certain forced labour goods would face a lower tariff rate of 10%.

Nigeria, however, was placed in the higher tariff category alongside dozens of other countries that the U.S. said had not taken sufficient action.

The investigation, initiated in March 2026 under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974, examined whether the targeted economies had laws prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labour and whether such laws were being effectively enforced.

The USTR said it received more than 1,600 public comments and heard testimony from over 100 witnesses, including representatives of governments, industry groups, domestic producers and non-governmental organisations, before reaching its final decision.

The U.S. government noted that several countries, including Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Sri Lanka and Trinidad and Tobago, introduced forced labour import prohibitions during the course of the investigations, while Jordan committed to implementing similar measures through an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.

The notice also provides exemptions for certain categories of goods, including informational materials, donations, accompanied baggage, products already subject to Section 232 tariffs, and specific items identified in annexes to the order where additional duties could disrupt U.S. supply chains or prove ineffective in addressing the underlying concerns.

helinues:
It's hypocritical of USA to be accusing Nigeria of having force labour system.

helinues:
It's hypocritical of USA to be accusing Nigeria of having force labour system.

There is no evidence of such system in Nigeria. The Eastern Congo mine, majority of the companies using minor to do force labour are from USA, but they can never see such kind of a thing

helinues:
It's hypocritical of USA to be accusing Nigeria of having force labour system.

There is no evidence of such system in Nigeria. The Eastern Congo mine, majority of the companies using minor to do force labour are from USA, but they can never see such kind of a thing

helinues:
It's hypocritical of USA to be accusing Nigeria of having force labour system.

There is no evidence of such system in Nigeria. The Eastern Congo mine, majority of the companies using minor to do force labour are from USA, but they can never see such kind of a thing

ogododo:
https://saharareporters.com/2026/07/24/us-imposes-new-125-tariff-nigerian-exports-over-forced-labour

helinues:
It's hypocritical of USA to be accusing Nigeria of having force labour system.

There is no evidence of such system in Nigeria. The Eastern Congo mine, majority of the companies using minor to do force labour are from USA, but they can never see such kind of a thing

helinues:
It's hypocritical of USA to be accusing Nigeria of having force labour system.

There is no evidence of such system in Nigeria. The Eastern Congo mine, majority of the companies using minor to do force labour are from USA, but they can never see such kind of a thing

Omoawoke:
People are using their anger against Tinubu to be projecting Nigeria in a bad image to a man like Trump who’s looking for every single cover to punish black man

Namaster:
Endeavour to read the article.
NOT just the headline.

Nigeria is NOT being accused of having Forced Labour System.
But IMPORTING goods produced with forced labour, likely from China.

Sahara Reporters is being MISCHIEVOUS with the headline.
SR is a FAKE NEWS merchant.

Plus, the Forced Labour claim is just an EXCUSE by the PDFile to reinstate TARIFFS that have already been deemed ILLEGAL by the courts.

The PDFile is still imposing TARIFFS of up to 10% on countries that they claim DON'T even import goods produced with Forced Labour.

simigold:
Chinese, Indian, Lebanese companies, nah una cause this o

Tenses:
If we do not put these Chinese and Lebanese on check they will destroy this country.

And the Nigeria government is the most stewpid and useless government ever.

helinues:
It's hypocritical of USA to be accusing Nigeria of having force labour system.

There is no evidence of such system in Nigeria. The Eastern Congo mine, majority of the companies using minor to do force labour are from USA, but they can never see such kind of a thing

Olatundex22:
This is nonsense from USA. What force Labour in Nigeria, if you’re talking about cheap Labour yeah I’m in support.
Please look for another excuse this forced Labour doesn’t work where everyone is almost angry

helinues:
It's hypocritical of USA to be accusing Nigeria of having force labour system.

There is no evidence of such system in Nigeria. The Eastern Congo mine, majority of the companies using minor to do force labour are from USA, but they can never see such kind of a thing

Guestmale:
America did not accuse Nigeria of using forced labour but that we import goods from countries using forced labour.