US Slaps New Tariffs on Nigeria, 59 Other Economies Over Forced Labour Concerns.

The United States has announced new import tariffs on goods from 60 economies, including Nigeria, citing concerns over inadequate measures to prevent the importation of products made with forced labour.

The tariffs, unveiled on Thursday by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), will range between 10 percent and 12.5 percent, depending on each country's policies regarding forced labour imports.

According to the USTR, the decision followed investigations launched in May 2026 under Section 301 of the US Trade Act, covering 60 of America's largest trading partners. The agency said it reviewed more than 1,600 public submissions, heard testimony from over 100 witnesses, and consulted with more than 45 governments before finalising the measures.

Nigeria is among the countries facing a 12.5 percent tariff, while nations that have adopted or pledged to enforce stricter bans on goods linked to forced labour will be subject to the lower 10 percent tariff.

Countries affected include China, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and members of the European Union, among others.

The USTR noted that certain products will be exempt from the new tariffs and clarified that, for the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan, the tariffs will apply after accounting for existing Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariff rates.

The new measures are expected to impact trade between the United States and the affected economies while encouraging stronger enforcement against forced labour in global supply chains.

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