President Donald Trump of the United States has enacted a 15 percent import tariff on goods from Nigeria as part of a wider executive order that targets numerous countries within a revised global trade framework. The updated tariff list was revealed by the White House on Thursday, concluding a 90-day extension granted in April to negotiate specific trade agreements. Initially, Nigeria faced a 14 percent tariff, but its implementation was postponed to allow for further discussions.

The updated order raises Nigeria’s tariff to 15 percent, affecting several African and non-African nations. According to the White House, this action aligns with Trump’s policy of “reciprocal tariffs,” which is designed to counter what the administration views as unfair trade practices by US partners. Efforts to negotiate customized trade agreements with African states reportedly did not yield positive outcomes. As the new deadline arrived, the US had failed to establish any trade pacts with any African nation.

In the aftermath of the initial announcement, several countries sought alternative arrangements or exemptions. However, US officials pointed to a lack of progress to justify the execution of the new tariff schedule.

Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, recognized the region’s initiatives to strengthen trade with the US, but noted that travel restrictions imposed during the negotiation period complicated diplomatic efforts. “Nigeria and West African nations worked towards enhancing trade relations with the United States,” Tuggar stated. “However, the travel bans and wider restrictions impeded the process.”

Other countries subjected to the 15 percent tariff include Angola, Ghana, Mozambique, Uganda, Israel, South Korea, and Norway. More substantial tariffs were introduced for countries like India (25%), South Africa (30%), and Switzerland (39%), while some countries, such as Syria, faced tariffs exceeding 40%.

This latest trade order by Trump also impacts the US’s North American neighbors. Canada now faces a 35 percent tariff, while Mexico is subject to a range of tariffs from 25 to 50 percent on various goods, including automobiles, metals, and fentanyl-related products. Brazil, which was initially assigned a 10 percent tariff, now faces a dramatic increase to a 50 percent rate following a separate announcement made on Thursday.

Negotiations with China are still in progress, with no new tariff rate declared for Beijing under the current order.

Complete List of Countries and Corresponding US Import Tariffs Under President Donald Trump’s Revised Trade Order, Announced on August 1, 2025:

10% Tariff

• Falkland Islands
• United Kingdom
• All other countries not specified in the executive order

15% Tariff
Africa:

• Angola
• Botswana
• Cameroon
• Chad
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Ghana
• Lesotho
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Nigeria
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Americas:

• Bolivia
• Costa Rica
• Ecuador
• Guyana
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Venezuela

Asia & Pacific:

• Afghanistan
• Fiji
• Israel
• Japan
• Jordan
• Nauru
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Papua New Guinea
• South Korea
• Turkey
• Vanuatu

Europe:

• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Norway

18% Tariff

• Nicaragua

19% Tariff

• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Pakistan
• Philippines

20% Tariff

• Bangladesh
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Taiwan
• Vietnam

25% Tariff

• Brunei
• India
• Kazakhstan
• Moldova
• Tunisia

30% Tariff

• Algeria
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Libya
• South Africa

35% Tariff

• Iraq
• Serbia
• Canada

39% Tariff

• Switzerland

40% Tariff

• Laos
• Myanmar (Burma)
• Brazil (an additional 40% tariff added on August 1, raising Brazil’s total to 50%)

41% Tariff

• Syria

Special Tariffs (Mexico)

• 25% on fentanyl-related products
• 25% on automobiles
• 50% on steel, aluminium, and copper (effective in 90 days)

China

• No rate announced yet
• Currently engaged in ongoing negotiations with the Trump administration

The United States government has issued a stern warning to Nigerians about the repercussions of engaging in visa fraud and illegal immigration, stating that such actions could lead to a permanent ban on obtaining a visa. This warning was shared in a post on the official X page of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.

“Individuals who commit visa fraud will face a lifetime ban from entering the United States,” the statement highlighted. It also emphasized, “A nation without borders is not a nation,” illustrating the U.S. government’s ongoing dedication to securing its borders and enforcing strict immigration regulations.

Furthermore, the U.S. has indicated that it will actively seek criminal charges against those involved in visa-related offenses, including individuals who assist or shelter undocumented migrants. This involves sponsors, agents, and smugglers who contribute to the rise of illegal immigration, a practice that has become increasingly prevalent in parts of West Africa.

This warning comes as concerns grow over the increasing number of Nigerians attempting to enter the United States through fraudulent means.

In recent years, U.S. immigration officials have reported numerous incidents involving fake documents, marriage fraud, and misrepresentation during visa interviews. These actions not only threaten the integrity of the U.S. immigration system but also put individuals at risk of detention, deportation, or prosecution.

Several African nations have recently encountered visa restrictions or travel bans from the United States. Initially, countries like Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan were subject to a travel ban. More recently, Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo faced partial restrictions.

Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Ethiopia have also seen a reduction in the validity of certain visas, often attributed to security issues, insufficient cooperation on deportation matters, and inadequate identity verification processes.

Additionally, the U.S. has mandated that the social media accounts of all foreigners applying for visas will be examined for any signs of hostility towards the country’s citizens, culture, government, institutions, or foundational principles.

Nigerians are encouraged to refer to official resources, such as the U.S. Embassy or Consulate websites, for reliable information regarding visa applications.

Ahmed Ramadan Mohamad Ebid, who had worked as a fisherman in the Mediterranean, started helping boats make the perilous journey from Libya to Italy just three weeks after he arrived in the UK.

An illegal immigrant who was involved in smuggling more than 3,000 others into Europe has been sentenced to 25 years in jail.

Egyptian national Ahmed Ramadan Mohamad Ebid, who arrived in the UK in a small boat in October 2022, worked with people smuggling networks in north Africa to bring hundreds of migrants at a time from Libya to Italy.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) believes the 42-year-old’s case is the first time someone has been convicted for organising migrant crossings of the Mediterranean from the UK.

Ebid had a “significant managerial role within an organised crime group” and his “primary motivation was to make money out of human trafficking”, Judge Adam Hiddleston said.

He told Ebid the “conspiracy that you were a part of generated millions of pounds” and he must have been a “beneficiary” of “a significant amount”.

He said the “truly staggering” amount of money came from the “hard-earned savings of desperate individuals”, who were “ruthlessly and cynically exploited” by Ebid and the crime group.

Details of the case emerged during a rare Newton hearing – a trial within a trial that takes place when the prosecution and defence disagree about facts of a case.

Ebid was living in Isleworth, west London, at the time of his arrest in June 2023.

He later admitted to being involved in enabling seven fishing boats to make the dangerous crossing to Europe, with a total of 3,781 migrants on board. He said he only played a minor role in the operation but a judge rejected this claim in March.

Ebid, who had worked as a fisherman in the Mediterranean, helped two boats carrying hundreds of migrants cross the sea in a convoy just three weeks after he arrived in the UK.

Once the boats were in Italian waters, a satellite phone on board one vessel was used to call the Italian coastguard, who rescued everyone and brought them ashore.

Ebid’s mobile phone had been in contact with the satellite phone 34 times over two days, the prosecution told the Newton hearing.

He used the same method to help five more boats make the crossing in the next six months, it added.

Each migrant was charged an average of around £3,200, bringing the criminals involved more than £12m, the National Crime Agency said.

Ebid was sentenced to 25 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

Source: SKY NEWS