U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Nigeria, along with other countries aligning with the policies of BRICS, will face an additional 10% tariff on exports to the United States.
The announcement, made on Sunday via Trump’s Truth Social account, has added new uncertainty to an already tense global trade landscape. While Trump did not specify which BRICS policies he considers “anti-American,” the move comes amid the ongoing BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
On January 17, 2025, Brazil formally confirmed Nigeria’s admission as a partner country of BRICS — a strategic grouping originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with recent expansions to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, and new partner countries such as Nigeria, Belarus, Bolivia, and others.
Nigeria officially became the ninth BRICS partner country during the 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024.
In a joint statement on Sunday, BRICS leaders criticized Trump’s trade stance without naming the United States directly. They voiced “serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures,” describing them as distortive and inconsistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
The statement warned that “the proliferation of trade-restrictive actions threatens to disrupt the global economy and deepen existing inequalities,” a position that underscores BRICS’ goal of empowering Global South economies and fostering fairer international trade frameworks.
At the Rio summit, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to BRICS and broader Global South partnerships.
In a statement signed by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga and reported by Premium Times and Channels Television, Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria remains guided by its Vision 2050 and its nationally determined contributions on climate, economic growth, and health.
“Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” Tinubu noted, urging for global financial restructuring and fair access to sustainable technologies.
He stressed that Nigeria seeks to be an “architect of a future” that addresses the needs of its young population, who make up over 70% of the country’s demographic. He called for collective solutions to climate change, healthcare inequality, and economic resilience, positioning BRICS as a potential beacon for “emerging solutions rooted in solidarity and shared prosperity.”
Tinubu also underlined Nigeria’s ongoing initiatives such as the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall, as well as bold steps to accelerate renewable energy adoption and strengthen urban resilience.
What’s at Stake
The Trump administration initially announced these additional tariffs in April but allowed a 90-day grace period, set to expire this Wednesday. Countries that do not negotiate separate agreements with the U.S. will now face the 10% tariff starting August 1.
This latest development raises significant concerns for Nigerian exporters and investors, potentially impacting sectors such as agriculture, textiles, and oil-related products that rely on U.S. markets.
Trade analysts warn that this move could further strain U.S.-Africa relations at a time when many African economies are seeking to diversify trade ties and assert greater independence on the global stage.
BRICS, meanwhile, continues to present itself as a political and economic counterweight to Western-dominated systems. With its growing list of partners, the bloc aims to strengthen Global South influence in global governance and promote more equitable international cooperation.
What is clear, however, is that Nigeria’s leadership appears unwavering in its commitment to a collective vision of inclusive development, even in the face of new trade barriers.
