Nigeria could soon face a combined 27.5 per cent tariff on exports to the United States after being listed among economies accused of failing to adequately prohibit and enforce restrictions on goods produced through forced labour.
The development follows the conclusion of investigations by the Office of the United States Trade Representative under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974, which found that several countries’ labour-related import practices place American businesses at a competitive disadvantage.
Under the proposal, Nigeria would be subject to an additional 12.5 per cent tariff, on top of the existing 10 per cent baseline duty introduced under the trade framework of U.S. President Donald Trump. Combined with other applicable charges, the effective tariff rate on Nigerian exports could rise to 27.5 per cent.
Announcing the findings, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said countries that fail to prevent the importation of goods produced through forced labour contribute to unfair global competition and disadvantage businesses that comply with international labour standards.
“The failure of our major trading partners to effectively address forced labour in global supply chains is unacceptable and creates an uneven playing field for American workers and businesses,” Greer stated.
Nigeria was listed among 54 economies found to have neither implemented nor effectively enforced measures to block imports linked to forced labour. Other affected African countries include Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and South Africa.
The USTR argued that weak enforcement against forced labour allows certain producers to reduce costs unfairly, distorting international trade and undermining efforts to improve labour conditions globally.
The proposal remains under review and will undergo a public consultation process before any final decision is reached. If implemented, the measure could have significant implications for Nigeria’s export sector, particularly industries that depend on access to the U.S. market.
The USTR also announced a proposed special mechanism that would allow limited volumes of apparel and textile imports from certain countries to enter the United States at reduced tariff rates.
The investigation, launched in March 2026, included testimony from dozens of stakeholders and hundreds of written submissions before the agency reached its preliminary determination.
While the tariffs have not yet taken effect, the proposal signals increased scrutiny of labour practices in global supply chains and could place additional pressure on affected countries to strengthen compliance and enforcement measures.
