President Donald Trump has ignited a global trade firestorm, imposing sweeping tariffs on imports into the United States, with Nigeria among the hardest hit.
Declaring a “national economic emergency,” Trump announced an across-the-board 10% tariff on all foreign goods, while 60 countries deemed “the worst offenders” by his administration will face even steeper levies.
Nigeria has been slapped with a 27% tariff, while South Africa faces a staggering 60% levy on exports to the U.S. The measures, set to take effect on April 5, mark a dramatic shift in global trade dynamics.
Speaking from the White House Rose Garden, Trump declared “Liberation Day” for American industry, calling the moment the beginning of America’s “economic rebirth.”
“Today marks the day America was made wealthy again,” he proclaimed to thunderous applause. “For too long, we have been taken advantage of. Now, it’s our turn to prosper.”
Trump vowed to bring jobs and manufacturing “roaring back” to the U.S., promising to “pry open foreign markets” while ensuring foreign goods no longer flood American stores unchecked.
As part of his sweeping measures, Trump announced a 25% tariff on all foreign-made vehicles, effective midnight, targeting countries like Japan, South Korea, and Germany. He lambasted nations that limit U.S. exports while dominating the American market.
“We take their cars, they refuse ours. That ends today,” he declared, citing statistics that over 80% of South Korean cars are sold domestically, while U.S. automakers struggle to penetrate foreign markets.
Trump also took aim at agricultural trade, accusing Canada, Mexico, and Australia of imposing steep tariffs on U.S. dairy and beef while barring American poultry and rice.
“They won’t take our beef. They don’t want our rice. But they expect us to open our markets? Those days are over,” he said.
Holding up a chart titled “Reciprocal Tariffs,” Trump highlighted the disparities in trade levies, emphasizing a 10% tariff on UK imports and a 20% tax on EU goods.
“They charge us, we charge them. How can anybody be upset?” he quipped.
Despite the looming uncertainty, Trump remained defiant.
“The days of America being the world’s piggy bank are over. It’s time we took care of our own people.”
