U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Nigeria will face an additional 10 % tariff for aligning with what he described as the “anti-American policies of BRICS.”
The declaration, made Sunday via a post on Truth Social, adds new uncertainty to global trade relations as BRICS leaders meet in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Though Trump did not point to any specific BRICS policy, his announcement follows Nigeria’s recent formal admission into the bloc as a partner country.
On January 17, 2025, Brazil confirmed that Nigeria had joined as the ninth BRICS partner country, alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
This partner-country category was created during the 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan in October 2024.
In a joint statement released on Sunday, BRICS leaders appeared to criticize Trump’s trade stance, warning against “unjustified unilateral protectionist measures, including the indiscriminate increase of reciprocal tariffs.”
Without naming the U.S., the statement voiced “serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules,” noting that the spread of trade-restrictive actions threatens global economic stability and worsens inequality.
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Trump’s post stated: “Any Country aligning itself with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy.”
At the summit, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s support for BRICS and the Global South.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said, “Nigeria, therefore, associates with what I have heard today and all that has happened in BRICS. The next issues are financial restructuring and reevaluation of the global structure.”
He pointed out that environmental damage, climate change, and global healthcare disparities are shared challenges, particularly for African nations.
“Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” he said.
Tinubu called for a new model of justice built on fairness, sustainable technology transfer, and accessible financing to ensure emerging economies benefit from global development.
He highlighted African-led initiatives such as the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall, expressing hope that COP-30 would reinforce Africa’s voice in shaping climate action.
“Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We can, therefore, not be passive participants in global decision-making on financial restructuring, debt forgiveness, climate change, environmental issues, and healthcare,” he added.
“We must be the architects of a future that addresses the specific needs and concerns of youths, who represent 70 percent of our population in Nigeria.”
The president reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to long-term development goals under Vision 2050 and its nationally determined contributions, stating, “We are taking bold steps to accelerate renewable energy adoption, mainstream climate action, promote nature-based solutions, strengthen urban resilience, champion South-South cooperation, align with the global renewal framework and achieve universal health coverage for all.”
He also emphasized the need to address non-communicable diseases as a shared global health priority.
“As we approach COP-30 and look to strengthen the global health system, we believe the BRICS must not only be a bloc for emerging economies but also a beacon for emerging solutions and resolutions rooted in solidarity, self-reliance, sustainability, and shared prosperity of a common future,” Tinubu said.
“Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to strategic collaboration that translates into sustainable and inclusive development for all.”
BRICS currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.
The group identifies itself as a coordination platform for Global South countries, aiming to strengthen political, economic, and social cooperation and boost the influence of emerging economies in global governance.
The Trump administration confirmed that the announced tariffs, initially scheduled for July 9, will now take effect on August 1 for countries that have not reached a trade agreement with the U.S.
Trump first introduced the tariffs in April, but issued a 90-day pause just days later. That pause is set to expire Wednesday, raising concern among global investors and trade partners.
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