The United States has criticized Nigeria’s ban on 25 product categories, saying it hampers American exports and deepens trade tensions, and warned such practices hurt American farmers, manufacturers, and workers, linking them to job losses and factory closures.
The Office of United States Trade Representative (USTR) noted that the ban, particularly in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods, negatively impacted US trade balance with Nigeria; listing the restrictions covering beef, poultry, fruit juice, medicaments and spirits among the top 10 unfair trade practices by foreign nations.
The USTR in a post on X said, “These policies create significant trade barriers that lead to lost revenue for U.S. businesses looking to expand in the Nigerian market”.
The United States President, Donald Trump recently imposed a 14 percent tariff on Nigeria, among several countries, including India, Thailand, Kenya, and the EU.
Others ban items are bottled water, spaghetti and other noodles; fruit juice in retail packs, tomatoes, tomato ketchup, and tomato sauces; nonalcoholic beverages (excluding energy drinks), bagged cement, beer and stout, all medicaments falling under Harmonized System headings 3003 and 3004; soaps and detergents, mosquito repellant coils, paper board, used motor vehicles more than 12 years old, ball point pens, most types of footwear, bags and suitcases, used clothing, and certain spirits and alcohols.
