Nigeria has officially gazetted and transmitted its ECOWAS Schedule of Tariff Offers for Trade in Goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a long-overdue but crucial step toward unlocking its participation in what is being touted as the world’s largest free trade zone.

Signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and transmitted to the AfCFTA Secretariat just days before the 16th Council of Ministers Meeting on Trade scheduled for April 15 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, the move clears a critical bottleneck and sends a clear message that Nigeria is now ready to engage fully under the bloc’s preferential trade framework.

It marks the first formal action by Nigeria that sets the country on track to implement zero duties on 90 percent of its tariff lines, a requirement under AfCFTA rules. The gazette removes any ambiguity about Nigeria’s intentions and offers its exporters a direct path to compete more favorably in a market that spans 54 countries and over 1.3 billion people.

The African Continental Free Trade Area is an ambitious continental initiative aimed at creating a single market for goods and services, facilitating capital and people movement, and laying the foundation for a continental customs union. It officially came into force in January 2021 and is a flagship project under the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Its primary goal is to eliminate trade barriers, reduce tariffs, and deepen economic integration across Africa. The agreement seeks to increase intra-African trade by over 50 percent by 2030, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Estimates from the World Bank project that AfCFTA could boost Africa’s income by $450 billion by 2035 and lift more than 30 million people out of extreme poverty. It could also raise wages by nearly 10 percent and help harmonize trade regulations across the continent—an important shift in a region often crippled by fragmented markets and red tape.

But while AfCFTA was launched with considerable fanfare, implementation has been uneven. Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, has been among the most sluggish to commit.

Nigeria ratified the AfCFTA agreement in December 2020, months after most African countries had signed on. Even after ratification, the country stalled on submitting its tariff offers—a requirement for trading under the bloc’s preferential rules. It wasn’t until July 2024 that Nigeria flagged off its first shipment under AfCFTA, a symbolic export more than a structured trade flow.

Critics say Nigeria’s hesitancy is rooted in internal contradictions: a stated desire to lead African economic integration, countered by protectionist instincts and domestic inefficiencies. Successive governments have expressed concern that fully liberalizing trade could expose local industries—particularly manufacturing and agriculture—to intense competition from more productive African economies like Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa.

This delay has cost Nigerian exporters valuable first-mover advantages. While smaller economies like Ghana, Rwanda, and even Togo have actively participated in AfCFTA’s guided trade initiative and pilot shipments, Nigeria’s exporters have remained in limbo—unable to take advantage of the bloc’s tariff-free benefits.

That appears to be changing. The gazetted schedule, now officially transmitted, unlocks the legal framework needed for Nigerian businesses to begin benefiting from AfCFTA’s incentives.

Under the agreement, Nigeria has committed to a phased tariff reduction plan. For trade with Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Nigeria will reduce tariffs on 90 percent of goods by 50 percent by 2025, with 10 percent reductions each year. For countries not classified as LDCs, Nigeria has opted for full tariff elimination beginning immediately, with a 20 percent reduction applied annually.

This phased liberalization is designed to protect local industries while also signaling long-term openness to continental trade. It also aligns with the African Union’s directive from the 35th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government in 2022, which encouraged member states to begin trading while finalizing schedules.

The expected economic benefits are immense. The removal of tariffs across 90 percent of goods opens up unprecedented opportunities for Nigerian producers, from agro-processing to textiles, machinery, and pharmaceuticals. Experts say the move could accelerate industrialization and boost non-oil exports, which have been for long a weak link in Nigeria’s economic framework. It could also help diversify revenue and reduce dependence on crude oil, which still accounts for over 85 percent of Nigeria’s export earnings.

The policy shift is expected to stimulate small and medium-sized enterprise growth, as reduced costs of entry improve the chances of regional expansion. Increased exports and higher investor confidence may also create jobs across manufacturing, logistics, and services. As Nigeria begins to shift from a consumption-heavy economy to a production-based model, there is hope that the country will finally begin addressing its structural trade deficits. Full participation in AfCFTA further enhances Nigeria’s ability to influence regional economic policy and shape the bloc’s regulatory frameworks from within.

Nigeria is also positioning itself as a champion of digital trade within AfCFTA. In February 2025, President Tinubu was praised for his leadership in advancing the bloc’s digital trade agenda, a key pillar in modernizing African commerce. As a co-chair of AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Initiative, Nigeria is helping to develop frameworks for cross-border e-commerce, digital payments, and data protection—areas that could lower transaction costs and enable young, tech-savvy entrepreneurs to break into regional markets.

The government has also hinted at rolling out a digital AfCFTA window through the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to help businesses navigate customs documentation, product standards, and logistics across member states.

While the gazette signals progress, questions remain over whether Nigeria can overcome its bureaucratic inertia, port congestion, forex instability, and inconsistent trade policy that have historically undermined its regional competitiveness. The Tinubu administration appears keen to rewrite that narrative, though results will depend on execution. As the continent’s economic giant, Nigeria’s full buy-in is not just symbolic—it’s pivotal. A vibrant AfCFTA without Nigeria is incomplete. A proactive Nigeria is expected to turn the trade pact into a genuine economic revolution.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made a high-profile visit to Vietnam on Monday, intensifying global trade tensions, as Beijing and Hanoi signed 45 cooperation agreements to deepen economic ties, particularly in trade and supply chains.

The move, part of Xi’s broader Southeast Asia tour, has raised fresh concerns in Washington, with U.S. President Donald Trump accusing the two communist-led nations of conspiring to undermine American interests.

“I don’t blame China; I don’t blame Vietnam,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “That’s a lovely meeting. Meeting like, trying to figure out, ‘how do we screw the United States of America?’”

The visit comes against the backdrop of a bruising U.S.-China trade war, exacerbated by steep tariffs and protectionist policies that have reshaped global commerce. Xi’s trip, which includes stops in Malaysia and Cambodia through Friday, underscores China’s strategy to counter U.S. economic pressure by strengthening regional alliances, with Vietnam—a key industrial hub—emerging as a linchpin.

A Strategic Partnership in Hanoi

Xi’s two-day visit to Hanoi, his second in less than 18 months, saw him meet Vietnam’s top leader, To Lam, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The leaders oversaw the signing of dozens of agreements covering supply chains, railways, artificial intelligence, and green energy, according to documents reviewed by Reuters and state media from both nations. While the specifics of these deals remain undisclosed, their scope signals an ambitious push to integrate economies amid global trade disruptions.

In an article published in Nhandan, the newspaper of Vietnam’s Communist Party, Xi called for enhanced cooperation in production and supply chains, warning that “there are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars.” Without naming the United States, he criticized protectionism as a dead-end, a sentiment echoed in his meeting with Chinh, where he urged opposition to “unilateral bullying,” per China’s Xinhua news agency.

Among the agreements, a memorandum of understanding between the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry aims to streamline certification of goods’ origins—a critical issue as Vietnam faces U.S. scrutiny over trade practices. Vietnam also greenlit Chinese loans for new rail links to boost bilateral trade, though no credit agreement was finalized. To Lam pressed China for concessional loans, Vietnamese state media reported, highlighting Hanoi’s eagerness to deepen infrastructure ties.

In a significant concession, Vietnam approved planes certified by China’s aviation regulator, paving the way for China’s COMAC passenger jets to operate in the country. On Sunday, Vietnam’s budget airline Vietjet signed an MoU with COMAC, potentially to lease two C909 jets for domestic routes, a deal that could bolster China’s struggling aviation exports.

The U.S.-China Trade War Fueling A Global Fault Line

The Hanoi summit unfolds as the U.S.-China trade war, reignited under Trump’s second term, reaches new heights. The United States has imposed 145% duties on Chinese imports, targeting electronics, steel, and other goods to curb Beijing’s economic influence and protect American industries. These tariffs, building on measures from Trump’s first administration, have pushed Chinese manufacturers to relocate operations to Southeast Asia, with Vietnam receiving billions in investments to sidestep U.S. levies.

Vietnam, meanwhile, faces its own tariff threat: a potential 46% duty on its exports to the U.S. set to take effect in July 2025, after a global trade moratorium expires. Hanoi is negotiating to reduce these tariffs, a process complicated by Washington’s demand that Vietnam ensure its exports—labeled “Made in Vietnam”—meet strict rules of origin. This has led Vietnam to tighten controls on trade with China, cracking down on goods that may be minimally processed in Vietnam to dodge U.S. tariffs.

Vietnam’s trade data underscores its pivotal role: in Q1 2025, it imported $30 billion in goods from China, primarily components for electronics, shoes, and apparel while exporting $31.4 billion to the U.S., its largest market. This near-parity reflects Vietnam’s position as a conduit between Chinese supply chains and American consumers, a dynamic that alarms Washington as Beijing and Hanoi grow closer.

The U.S. has also pressed Vietnam to address broader concerns, including market access and intellectual property protections. In recent months, Vietnam imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese steel and ended tax waivers for low-value parcels to curb the influx of cheap Chinese goods—moves seen as aligning with U.S. demands. Additionally, Vietnam’s approval of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service, signaling Hanoi’s willingness to balance ties with both powers, has irked Beijing.

The Alarm in Washington’s Reaction

Xi’s visit has amplified U.S. fears that China is rallying Southeast Asian nations to counter American trade policies. Trump’s blunt remarks on Monday framed the China-Vietnam talks as a direct challenge, though he tempered his criticism by noting he didn’t fault either nation for pursuing their interests. A Trump administration official revealed that Trump and To Lam recently discussed reducing reciprocal tariffs, with plans for an in-person meeting soon, suggesting a pragmatic approach despite the rhetoric.

Trump’s comments echo broader anxieties in Washington about losing economic leverage in Asia. Vietnam’s role as a major exporter of electronics and apparel to the U.S. makes it a critical player, and any shift toward deeper integration with China could weaken America’s trade position. The Biden administration’s earlier efforts to strengthen ties with Vietnam, including upgrading diplomatic relations in 2023, have been overshadowed by Trump’s tariff-heavy strategy, which risks pushing Hanoi closer to Beijing.

Geopolitical Undercurrents

Beyond trade, Xi’s visit highlights China’s broader ambitions in Southeast Asia. His stops in Malaysia and Cambodia, countries hit hard by U.S. tariffs, aim to cement Beijing’s influence in a region wary of choosing sides. Cambodia, a close Chinese ally, and Malaysia, a key trade partner, offer Xi opportunities to promote initiatives like the Belt and Road, despite past concerns over debt and sovereignty.

However, tensions persist. Vietnam and China frequently clash over South China Sea boundaries, a sore point that economic cooperation has not fully resolved. Vietnam’s concessions to the U.S., including Starlink’s deployment, may strain ties with Beijing, even as Hanoi seeks Chinese investment and loans.

Some analysts believe that Vietnam’s leaders are walking a tightrope, leveraging Chinese capital to fuel growth while placating U.S. demands to safeguard its export-driven economy.

President Donald Trump on Monday hinted at a possible temporary exemption for the auto industry from the 25% import tariffs he had previously imposed, in what analysts say could mark another reversal in his increasingly erratic trade policy.

The announcement adds to a growing list of concessions from the Trump administration as pressure mounts from both domestic industries and international allies.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the goal was to give carmakers time to restructure their supply chains and shift production to the United States.

“They need a little bit of time,” he said. “They’re going to make them here, but they need a little bit of time. So I’m talking about things like that.”

Trump’s latest overture is not limited to the auto industry. Just days earlier, the White House had quietly rolled back reciprocal tariffs on certain household electronics, including smartphones, laptops, and semiconductors. The move brought immediate relief to major U.S. tech firms — most notably Apple, which sources a significant portion of its products and components from China.

Apple’s stock bounced back following the announcement, and industry insiders welcomed the reprieve from what had become a growing trade war with Beijing. Semiconductor manufacturers also saw a slight uptick, as fears of restricted access to Chinese components began to ease.

For the auto sector, the latest concession may help avoid widespread disruption. American automakers like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis have spent decades building integrated production systems that span the globe. Elon Musk’s Tesla, which relies heavily on imported components and has a sprawling gigafactory in Shanghai, also stands to benefit from any delay or softening of the tariff regime.

Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council, which represents Ford, GM, and Stellantis, responded positively to Trump’s comments.

“There is increasing awareness that broad tariffs on parts could undermine our shared goal of building a thriving and growing American auto industry,” he said.

But the softening tone from the White House has not been overly welcome.

Critics Say Concessions Signal Strategy Collapse

Many analysts and former officials are interpreting the latest rollbacks not as a tactical recalibration, but as evidence that the Trump administration is caving under pressure — particularly from China, which has vowed not to yield to Washington’s demands.

Trump’s initial plan, unveiled with much fanfare in March, included blanket tariffs on a wide range of imports and a sharp escalation of duties on Chinese goods, with tariffs on electronics and auto parts among the most disruptive. But with U.S. financial markets jittery, bond yields climbing, and consumer confidence slipping, the administration has steadily retreated from the hard lines it once drew.

Among the most vocal critics is former U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who has publicly questioned both the intent and execution of Trump’s tariff strategy.

“The logic behind the tariff measures remains unclear and not at all sensible,” Yellen said in a recent interview.

Markets Show Unease Despite Temporary Boost

Wall Street reacted with mixed signals. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% Monday on news of possible auto tariff exemptions and tech reprieves, but the broader picture remains bleak — the index is still down nearly 8% on the year, and 10-year Treasury yields remain elevated around 4.4%.

Carl Tannenbaum, chief economist at Northern Trust, summed up the sentiment saying: “The whiplash has been so great that I might have to get fitted for a neck brace.” He added that the broader damage to consumer, business, and investor confidence “may already be irreversible.”

No Clear Endgame

Though Trump insisted, “I don’t change my mind, but I’m flexible,” many believe that the lack of a clearly articulated strategy has weakened America’s negotiating position. The 145% import tax on Chinese goods announced last week was followed within days by temporary exemptions for electronics — a development many saw as a quiet retreat rather than a calculated move.

The administration’s struggle to articulate an endgame has created an atmosphere of uncertainty that many fear could erode the credibility of U.S. trade policy for years to come.

Meanwhile, Beijing has remained unmoved, continuing to respond to U.S. tariffs with retaliatory measures of its own. Chinese officials have repeatedly said they will not be coerced into a deal and have criticized the “unilateral and protectionist” stance of the U.S. government.

The temporary relief for the auto and tech industries may spare them immediate damage, but many believe the storm is far from over. However, with each reversal, critics argue, Trump’s tariffs appear less like a well-planned strategy and more like an improvised attempt to balance political optics with economic fallout, a balancing act that may prove unsustainable.