US Slams Nigeria’s Import Ban, Cites Harm to American Exporters

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has criticised Nigeria’s ongoing import ban on 25 categories of goods, warning that the restrictions are damaging to American exporters and worsening trade tensions between both countries.

In a recent post on X, the USTR listed Nigeria’s trade policy—which affects products like beef, poultry, fruit juice, pharmaceuticals, and spirits—among the top ten unfair trade barriers imposed by foreign governments.

“These policies create significant trade barriers that lead to lost revenue for U.S. businesses looking to expand in the Nigerian market,” the USTR stated.

Nigeria joins a list of countries flagged by the U.S. for restrictive trade practices, including India, Thailand, Kenya, and the European Union. India and Thailand’s curbs on U.S. ethanol exports and Kenya’s 50% tariff on corn imports were also highlighted in the annual report.

The USTR further warned that such trade policies are detrimental to American farmers, manufacturers, and workers—linking them to job losses and factory shutdowns across the country.

China also drew criticism for flooding the U.S. market with cheap flags, reportedly costing American manufacturers over $2 million in lost sales each month.

The criticism comes amid renewed protectionist efforts under the Trump administration, as Washington seeks to safeguard domestic industries and demand fairer trade terms from global partners.