FG engages US Trade representatives on 14% tariff on Nigerian exports

By Kunle Sanni

The Federal Government of Nigeria has opened diplomatic channels with the United States to address the proposed imposition of a 14% tariff on Nigerian exports by the U.S. Trade Representative, as part of renewed efforts to safeguard the country’s trade interests and boost investor confidence.

This development emerged from the latest meeting of Nigeria’s Economic Management Team (EMT), chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, in Abuja.

A key highlight of the meeting was a comprehensive briefing by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who outlined Nigeria’s response strategy.

She stated that the government is actively engaging with U.S. authorities and leveraging discussions from the recent U.S.-Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan to negotiate a more favorable trade arrangement.

The proposed tariff, if implemented, could affect key Nigerian exports, raising concerns about the country’s competitiveness in the global market. The EMT reviewed both the legal framework and commercial implications of the proposed tariff, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to defending its trade interests through multilateral diplomacy and strategic negotiations.

The EMT also discussed broader trade and investment priorities, including investor retention, regulatory reforms, and export diversification. Infrastructure development was also on the agenda, with the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, presenting a logistics and project pipeline aimed at improving trade facilitation.

In his remarks, Edun emphasized the need for cohesive action across ministries: “Now is the time for unified action. By aligning our trade posture with global best practices and ensuring policy consistency, we can unlock greater opportunities for businesses and deepen investor confidence in Nigeria.”