US Imposes New Tariffs On 60 Countries: Nigeria, China, India and EU Affected (Full List)

The United States has introduced a fresh round of tariffs on imports from 60 countries and trading partners, with Nigeria among the nations affected by the new measures.

The tariffs, which officially took effect on Friday, replace an earlier global import duty introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration this year after the previous policy expired. The new levies range between 10 per cent and 12.5 per cent, affecting major economies including China, India, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and Nigeria.

The move has already drawn criticism from several countries, including China and Japan, while trade analysts warn that the measures could further reshape global trade relations.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer defended the decision, saying the policy is partly intended to encourage stronger enforcement against forced labour.

“The United States has had a forced labour import ban for nearly a century and rigorously enforces it; it’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same,” Greer said.

He added that the countries targeted under the new policy account for the majority of America’s international trade.

The latest tariffs come after the US Supreme Court struck down several of President Trump’s earlier tariff measures in February, ruling that they exceeded presidential authority under emergency powers.

Following that decision, the Trump administration temporarily imposed a universal 10 per cent tariff under a different legal framework, but the measure expired after 150 days. The new tariffs now replace that policy and were introduced following months of investigations, making them more resistant to legal challenges.

Countries that have adopted or pledged to enforce bans on imports linked to forced labour were assigned the lower 10 per cent tariff rate. These include Canada, India, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Mexico, Pakistan and the European Union.

Meanwhile, countries including Nigeria, China, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and several others will now face the higher 12.5 per cent tariff.

However, some economies, including the European Union, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland, secured partial relief through existing trade agreements with the United States, allowing their effective tariff rates to be adjusted under those arrangements.

The announcement prompted swift reactions across the globe.

Japan expressed disappointment over the decision, describing the tariffs as regrettable, while Australia’s Trade Minister labelled the move “unjustified.”

China also condemned the action.

A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said Beijing opposes

“all forms of unilateral tariff measures”

and warned that trade wars are

“not in the interests of any party”.

The European Union welcomed the exemptions granted under its trade agreement with Washington, saying the outcome was

“in line with the US tariff commitments agreed under the EU-US Joint Statement”.

The Trump administration clarified that products already subject to sector-specific tariffs, including steel and aluminium, will not be affected by the new measures. Certain energy products, fertilisers and goods covered under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are also exempt.

In addition to the latest tariffs, Washington is investigating 16 other economies over alleged excess industrial capacity, a move that could result in additional duties in the future.

Trade experts believe the administration is using the tariffs as leverage in ongoing trade negotiations.

Greta Peisch, a former General Counsel at the Office of the US Trade Representative, said maintaining the baseline tariffs while threatening further duties strengthens Washington’s bargaining position with its trading partners.

According to her, the policy also encourages countries to comply with previous trade agreements reached with the United States.

Joshua Lipsky of the Atlantic Council said the latest measures indicate that the US is becoming increasingly protectionist.

He noted that the tariffs are likely to remain in place throughout President Trump’s current term and would also generate significant revenue for the US government.

Former US trade official Ryan Majerus added that the administration is relying on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which provides greater flexibility for imposing and adjusting tariffs based on future developments.

The latest announcement follows other recent trade actions by Washington, including a 25 per cent tariff on selected Brazilian goods over alleged unfair trade practices and a separate 50 per cent tariff on several Canadian products, citing what the White House described as discriminatory treatment of American alcohol, automobile and dairy exports.

Analysts believe these developments show that US trade agreements remain fragile and that further tariff actions could still emerge.

Full List of Countries and New US Tariff Rates

*Subject to existing trade agreements that cap the effective tariff rate.