Nigeria’s import ban draws scrutiny from U.S. trade agency

Joy Agwunobi

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has expressed strong concerns over Nigeria’s continued ban on the importation of 25 product categories, warning that the policy is creating significant obstacles for American businesses aiming to access the Nigerian market.

In a statement shared via its official handle on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the USTR criticised Nigeria’s trade restrictions, particularly highlighting the adverse effects on American exporters across various industries, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods.

According to the agency, the ban, which targets products such as beef, pork, poultry, fruit juices, medicaments, and alcoholic beverages, has effectively limited U.S. market access and stifled trade opportunities for American companies.

“These restrictions on 25 categories of goods disproportionately affect U.S. exporters. Items like beef, pork, poultry, fruit juices, medicaments, and spirits are now facing hurdles that reduce export prospects and result in lost revenue,” the USTR stated.

The agency emphasised that these protectionist measures are not only detrimental to U.S. economic interests but also contradict principles of fair trade and open markets. It further noted that such barriers hinder business expansion and undermine global trade cooperation.

The criticism comes at a time when trade tensions are rising globally, following the reintroduction of tariffs on imported goods into the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration. Nigeria, among other countries, has been hit with a 14 percent tariff on its exports to the U.S., escalating an already complex trade environment.

While Nigeria has long defended its import restrictions as a means of protecting local industries and conserving foreign exchange, the USTR noted that the current policies are counterproductive, especially in sectors where American companies have a competitive edge.