The United States has strongly criticized Nigeria’s recent ban on 25 product categories, citing it as a major trade barrier that affects American exporters and worsens global trade tensions.
According to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Nigerian restrictions covering products such as beef, poultry, fruit juice, pharmaceuticals, and alcoholic beverages were ranked among the top 10 unfair trade practices by foreign nations. The USTR warned that these policies limit access to the Nigerian market, causing significant losses for U.S. businesses.
“These policies create significant trade barriers that lead to lost revenue for U.S. businesses looking to expand in the Nigerian market,” the USTR stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Nigeria was named alongside India, Thailand, Kenya, and the European Union as countries with protectionist policies that collectively block billions of dollars in potential U.S. exports. The report also highlighted India and Thailand’s restrictions on U.S. ethanol and Kenya’s 50% corn tariff.
The USTR warned that such practices negatively affect American farmers, manufacturers, and workers, linking them to job losses and factory closures across the United States.
In a related concern, the report also called out China for flooding the U.S. market with Chinese-made American flags, resulting in estimated monthly losses of $2 million for domestic flag manufacturers.
The report aligns with the Trump administration’s renewed protectionist trade agenda, which seeks to confront foreign trade barriers and prioritize American economic interests.
The Nigerian government has yet to officially respond to the U.S. allegations.
