“Crisis With Opportunities:” China Turns to Nigeria, Other Emerging Markets as Trade War with U.S. Deepens

As the tariff war between China and the United States intensifies, Beijing is making swift moves to recalibrate its global trade strategy, and Nigeria appears to be one of the key players in this realignment.

Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, described the latest U.S.-China tariff confrontation not simply as a setback, but as an opening to reinforce economic and trade ties with African nations, particularly Nigeria.

Yu, echoing Beijing’s broader diplomatic tone, described the tariffs as a “crisis with opportunities,” underscoring China’s intention to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in ways that could reshape the contours of its international trade alliances.

Yu’s remarks come as China officially responded to President Donald Trump’s sweeping 145% tariff hikes on Chinese goods by slapping its own countermeasures—raising tariffs on American imports from 84% to a staggering 125%, effective April 12, 2025. The move not only marks a significant escalation in the trade standoff but also signals Beijing’s growing urgency to look elsewhere for stable trade partners.

He pointed to China’s zero-tariff pledges for African least-developed countries as one of the concrete steps taken to back its rhetoric with action. These measures, announced during the most recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), are already opening doors for African exports and could serve as a critical economic boost for countries like Nigeria battling inflation, weakened currency, and an overburdened import bill.

“African nations are committed to development and revitalization, which requires a free, open multilateral trading system and a stable, predictable global environment,” Yu stated, directly linking Africa’s growth ambitions to China’s global outreach.

Beijing Shifts to Africa, Asia, and Beyond

But while China’s outreach to Nigeria may appear like a diplomatic gesture, it is in fact part of a broader and more calculated effort to rewire its global supply chains and reduce dependence on Western markets.

Beyond Africa, Chinese President Xi Jinping has also embarked on a strategic diplomatic tour across Asia in recent weeks, meeting with leaders in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to strengthen regional cooperation and trade ties. These visits are part of China’s accelerated push to secure new trade routes, negotiate alternative tariff arrangements, and advance its Belt and Road Initiative amid growing friction with Washington.

According to state media, Xi’s tour focused heavily on economic agreements covering agriculture, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and transport—sectors China is also eyeing in Nigeria and other African nations.

Analysts believe these moves represent a calculated attempt by Beijing to diversify its trade portfolio and shore up economic resilience, especially as Chinese exports to the United States face tightening restrictions and higher costs.

For African countries, including Nigeria, this geopolitical tension is being framed by Beijing as a unique opportunity to plug into alternative supply chains and secure investment deals previously dominated by U.S. or European counterparts.

Yu said that China’s decades-long presence in Africa has earned it the trust of governments and people, noting that infrastructure projects, technical cooperation, and investment deals have continued even during global economic slowdowns.

In Nigeria, China has already funded and executed a number of high-profile infrastructure projects, including railways, airports, and power stations. However, critics say many of these deals have come with questionable terms, including opaque loan agreements and limited knowledge transfer.

Still, Yu insisted that China remains committed to transparency and mutual benefit, calling Nigeria “a natural partner in the journey toward shared prosperity.”

He added that trade relations could be expanded not only through zero-tariff arrangements but also via new investment flows into manufacturing, digital technology, and energy infrastructure.

At the heart of Yu’s message was a rebuke of growing protectionist tendencies, which he said pose a threat to countries that rely on international trade for development. While he did not mention the U.S. by name, his criticism was a clear reference to Trump’s hardline trade policies, which have drawn similar pushback from Europe and other parts of Asia.

“Together, we will uphold the multilateral trading system, resist protectionism, and foster an open, inclusive, and fair international environment,” he said, reaffirming China’s positioning as a defender of globalization in contrast to Washington’s more insular trade agenda.

Yu also used the moment to renew China’s support for creating a more balanced, multipolar world order—where all countries, regardless of size, have an equal say in global governance.

“Our shared goal is to advance an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, building a community with a shared future for humanity,” he concluded.

Nigeria’s Dilemma—and Opportunity

For Nigeria, the diplomatic overture from China offers both promise and caution. While Beijing’s support could bring needed capital and trade access at a time when Nigeria is struggling with low growth and weak exports, there is rising scrutiny over the terms of Chinese engagement. Nigerian lawmakers and civil society groups have increasingly raised concerns about the opacity of Chinese loans and the risk of mortgaging strategic assets.

However, in the absence of strong Western economic support, and amid declining capital inflows, China’s proposal to deepen ties may appear too timely to ignore.

As rising nationalism, trade protectionism, and shifting alliances reshape the global economy, Nigeria may be forced to make strategic choices about which global powers to align with.

Analysts have noted that the U.S.-China trade war, while disruptive, is also offering Abuja the rare chance to renegotiate its position in the global market if it can navigate the emerging power game with foresight and prudence.