Why Tariffs Hurt Growth: Lessons from Trump’s Trade War for Nigeria

It’s hard to forget the day President Trump declared tariffs on nearly every country. He claimed other nations imposed unfair charges on American goods. Economists and allies struggled to follow the confusing figures. A year on, the US Supreme Court struck down those tariffs. Not because protectionism is illegal, but because the president lacked the authority. The deeper question remains: do tariffs build strong economies? In most cases, they do not. Tariffs can protect critical industries for national security or punish hostile states. But a blanket trade war disrupts global supply chains, raises costs at home, and strains alliances. Competition, not isolation, drives innovation, lowers prices, and improves quality. In Nigeria, high import duties add 35–70% to consumer prices despite low per-capita income. These taxes squeeze the middle class and burden the poor. Instead of walls, local businesses need low predictable taxes, reliable power, efficient infrastructure, skilled labour, and security. An open, competitive economy will foster growth far more than protectionist barriers.

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