Nigeria could soon face higher tariffs on goods exported to the United States after Washington accused the country of failing to effectively prevent the importation of products made with forced labour.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced on Tuesday that Nigeria is among 60 economies under scrutiny following investigations conducted under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974.
According to the USTR, the affected countries have either failed to ban or properly enforce restrictions on goods linked to forced labour. The agency argues that this creates unfair competition for American businesses and workers.
If the proposal is approved, Nigerian exports to the US could be hit with an additional 12.5 per cent tariff. Combined with the existing 10 per cent baseline tariff imposed under President Donald Trump’s reciprocal trade policy, the total tariff burden on Nigerian goods would rise to 27.5 per cent.
Announcing the findings, US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer said countries must do more to ensure that global trade does not reward or encourage forced labour practices.
“The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labour is unacceptable,” Greer said.
He noted that while some countries have taken steps to tackle the issue, stronger action is needed to create a level playing field for workers and businesses.
Nigeria is one of 54 countries that the USTR said have neither implemented nor effectively enforced measures to stop the importation of goods produced through forced labour. Other African nations named in the report include Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and South Africa.
Several major economies across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas were also listed, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil and Argentina.
The USTR also identified six economies — Canada, Ecuador, the European Union, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan as having existing laws against forced labour imports but failing to enforce them effectively.
According to the agency, weak enforcement allows companies benefiting from exploitative labour practices to produce goods more cheaply, putting law-abiding businesses at a disadvantage.
Under the proposal, countries that already have forced labour import restrictions or have committed to introducing them could face an additional 10 per cent duty. Countries without such measures, including Nigeria, could be subjected to a 12.5 per cent tariff increase.
The USTR is also considering a special mechanism that would allow a limited volume of textile and apparel imports from certain countries to enter the US market at a reduced tariff rate.
The investigations began on March 12, 2026, and included testimony from nearly 60 witnesses as well as about 500 written submissions and rebuttals.
While the proposed tariffs have not yet taken effect, the outcome of the ongoing consultation process could have major implications for Nigeria and other affected countries that depend on access to the US market.
Trade analysts say the development could put additional pressure on Nigerian exporters already grappling with rising production costs and global market uncertainties.
