Efforts are underway to strengthen relations between the United States and Nigeria, even as the two countries navigate a growing trade dispute sparked by newly imposed tariffs.
In a phone call on Friday, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau spoke with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar. The two leaders discussed deepening their nations’ commercial ties, improving security cooperation, and building a more solid bilateral relationship.
The call came just days after US President Donald Trump announced that Nigerian exports to the United States would now face a 14 percent tariff. The move has added strain to the trade relationship and raised concerns among businesses in both countries.
At a public event in the White House Rose Garden, President Trump explained the decision as part of a larger effort to correct what he described as unfair trade practices. He pointed to the current imbalance, noting that Nigeria places a 27 percent tariff on US goods entering its market. According to the US government, this has created an uneven playing field for American exporters.
The new tariff policy is part of Trump’s broader “Make America Wealthy Again” initiative, which seeks to protect domestic industries and push for more balanced international trade. Trump said he expects other nations to adjust their own policies and work toward what he considers fairer trade terms.
Despite the tension, the phone discussion between Landau and Tuggar struck a more cooperative tone. Both sides signaled a willingness to keep working together on mutual interests, including trade, regional security, and long-term development goals.
While it remains unclear how Nigeria will respond to the tariff increase, the ongoing diplomatic engagement suggests both nations are looking for ways to ease the pressure and prevent further escalation.