U.S Slaps 12.5% Tariff on Nigerian Exports Over Forced Labour Concerns

Washington targets 60 economies in new trade action, says move aims to pressure countries to block goods linked to forced labour…….

The United States has imposed a 12.5 per cent tariff on imports from Nigeria as part of a fresh trade action against countries accused of failing to prevent the entry of goods produced through forced labour.

The tariff, announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), affects 60 economies identified by Washington as lacking effective measures to prohibit the importation of products connected to forced labour practices.

Nigeria was placed among countries facing the higher 12.5 per cent rate, while some nations, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and the United Kingdom, will attract a lower 10 per cent tariff after either introducing or committing to introduce restrictions on forced labour-linked imports.

The latest measure follows investigations launched by the USTR in May 2026 under Section 301 of the Trade Act, targeting some of America’s largest trading partners over concerns surrounding forced labour in global supply chains.

According to the agency, the investigation process involved more than 1,600 written submissions, public hearings with over 100 witnesses, and consultations with more than 45 governments.

The USTR said countries that had already established forced labour import bans, or had formally committed to implementing such measures, qualified for the lower tariff rate.

It stated that the 10 per cent tariff applies to economies that either enforce forced labour import prohibitions, have agreed to introduce such measures through trade agreements, or operate partial systems that prevent certain forced labour-related goods from entering their markets.

Countries listed under this category include Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom.

The agency added that a 12.5 per cent Section 301 tariff would apply to all other economies investigated under the measure.

In a Federal Register notice detailing the decision, the USTR confirmed that Nigerian products would face the 12.5 per cent duty, except for goods covered under specific exemptions.

The notice stated that the decision was reached after reviewing investigation findings, public comments, testimonies, recommendations from the Section 301 Committee and advisory bodies, as well as directives from the US President.

“The Trade Representative has determined to impose 12.5 percent tariffs on products of Nigeria, except as provided in Annex I and Annex II, Part A, of this Notice,” the document stated.

The USTR said the tariffs were designed to encourage countries to eliminate policies and practices that contribute to the production and trade of goods associated with forced labour.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the action reflected Washington’s position that previous diplomatic efforts had not been enough to address forced labour globally.

“President Trump recognises that decades of moral suasion have not eradicated forced labour from global supply chains,” Greer said.

“The United States has had a forced labour import ban for nearly a century. It’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same.”

The new tariff policy comes after President Donald Trump relied on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to introduce temporary universal tariffs following legal setbacks against a broader tariff programme introduced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

However, the USTR clarified that some products would be excluded from the new duties.

Exemptions will apply to certain raw materials that could trigger domestic shortages, goods that may cause significant economic disruption, products not available in sufficient quantities within the United States or alternative markets, and selected imports from countries taking steps to ban forced labour-linked goods.

Additional exemptions may also be granted where the USTR determines that tariffs are unlikely to influence the trade practices under investigation.