Abstract

Author:

Akor James Samuel, Onum Friday Okoh, Israel Grace

Doi: 10.26480/seps.01.2025.34.42

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

The economic relationship between the United States and Nigeria has historically been shaped by trade, investment flows, and diplomatic engagement. During Donald Trump’s presidency, a series of policy shifts including trade protectionism, tariffs, immigration restrictions, and changes in foreign aid priorities introduced new dynamics with potential implications for Nigeria’s economy. This study evaluates the broader economic consequences of these policy shifts, focusing on sectors such as oil exports, foreign direct investment, remittances, and trade balances. Findings indicate that protectionist trade measures in the U.S. created both opportunities and constraints for Nigerian exporters, influencing revenue streams and market access. Changes in U.S. investment policies and corporate taxation also affected investor confidence in Nigerian markets, with ripple effects on capital inflows and job creation. Additionally, restrictive immigration policies impacted remittance flows and the Nigerian diaspora’s contribution to domestic economic activity. While some sectors experienced short-term disruptions, others adapted through market diversification and policy adjustments. Overall, the Trump-era policy framework highlighted the vulnerabilities of Nigeria’s economic dependence on external actors, emphasizing the need for resilient trade strategies and strengthened domestic capacity. The study contributes to understanding how unilateral policy changes by major global powers can affect emerging economies and offers insights for policymakers seeking to mitigate risks while capitalizing on new opportunities in an increasingly complex international economic environment.