Trump Cuts U.S. Imports of Nigerian Goods by 41% as Tinubu’s Trade Policy Faces Strain
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the United States has slashed its imports of Nigerian goods by more than 40 percent in a single month, raising fresh concerns over the fragility of Nigeria’s trade ties with one of its most important economic partners.
According to new figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis, American imports from Nigeria fell sharply from $639 million in June 2025 to $379 million in July, representing a staggering 41 percent decline.
The downturn also coincided with a drop in U.S. exports to Nigeria, which slipped from $919 million in June to $584 million in July.
The report noted that, despite the fall in trade, Washington still posted a monthly surplus of $206 million, though lower than the $280 million recorded in June.
Analysing the data, the report stated that from January to July 2025, the U.S. exported goods worth $3.92 billion to Nigeria while importing $3.14 billion, leaving a year-to-date surplus of $781 million.
The statement further explained that, July’s steep contraction, however, underscores Nigeria’s weakening position in what has traditionally been a surplus relationship with Washington.
While Nigeria’s trade position deteriorated, overall U.S. trade with Africa showed a mixed trajectory. Imports from the continent rose from $3.67 billion in June to $4.47 billion in July, while exports edged slightly down from $3.37 billion to $3.30 billion, the report added.
It further added that, the shift widened America’s trade deficit with Africa to $1.17 billion in July, compared with $302 million in June.
OTN News observes from the statement that, the U.S. maintained a healthy surplus with Egypt, exporting $847 million against imports of $290 million in July.
Conversely, trade with South Africa deepened Washington’s deficit as imports surged to $1.99 billion while exports lagged at $565 million, leaving a monthly shortfall of $1.42 billion. Cumulatively, America’s deficit with South Africa now stands at $7.74 billion.
OTN News further observes that, the collapse in Nigerian exports comes amid renewed U.S. trade restrictions under President Donald Trump, who in late July signed an executive order raising tariffs on Nigerian exports from 14 percent to 15 percent under his “reciprocal” tariff regime.
Although crude oil, the backbone of Nigeria’s exports, has been partly shielded from the tariffs, uncertainty surrounding the policy has dampened demand, particularly for non-oil goods now facing higher duties.
Trump has defended the move as necessary to “protect American industries and correct global trade imbalances,” but the immediate impact for Nigeria has been a loss of market access and an erosion of its once-comfortable trade surplus with Washington.
Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the country would not be pressured into retaliatory measures but would remain committed to reforms and export diversification.
“Nigeria remains responsive; we’re not reacting. We’re focused on the eight-point agenda of President Bola Tinubu. We will continue to support domestic investors and expand market access for Nigerian businesses,” Oduwole stated.
She stressed that while the U.S. remains an important partner, Nigeria is placing greater emphasis on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and expanding non-oil exports, which grew by 24 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025.
“It’s mostly an energy-driven relationship with the U.S., but we’re also waiting to see what happens with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in September. Beyond that, we are strengthening partnerships with Brazil, China, Japan, and the UAE,” she added.
Oduwole, however, emphasized that Nigeria’s long-term goal is to deepen South–South cooperation, broaden its export base, and reduce overreliance on the American market.
What's Your Reaction?
