Why is Donald Trump suddenly unhinged towards Nigeria? It appears to be connected towards two main factors.
1. BRICS
First is Nigeria's relationship with BRICS. What is BRICS? It is an intergovernmental organization that was originally started by Brazil, Russia, India, and China with the acronym "BRIC". In general, it seeks to coordinate policies aimed at economic development and political influence on the world stage to counter Western domination. It serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South: Global South
In 2010: South Africa joined and the acronym was changed to BRICS.
In 2024: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates joined.
In 2025: Indonesia and Saudi Arabia joined.
Partner Countries: In June 2024 at the Kazan Summit, a new category (i.e. partner country) was created through the Johannesburg Declaration. Partner countries include Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan and now Vietnam
Is President Donald Trump hostile towards BRICS? Yes he is: According to an AI search on this subject:
Donald Trump has expressed a hostile stance toward BRICS, repeatedly portraying the bloc as a direct threat to U.S. economic dominance and the global status of the U.S. dollar. He has referred to the group as an "attack on the dollar" and threatened member nations with severe tariffs if they pursue de-dollarization efforts.
Tariff Threats: Trump has threatened to impose massive tariffs, in some cases up to 100%, on goods from BRICS nations if they attempt to create a common currency or otherwise move away from using the U.S. dollar in international trade. He also threatened an additional 10% tariff on any country that aligns with "anti-American policies" of the BRICS group.
Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that his threats have caused countries to "drop out" of the BRICS group and that the alliance is "dead". In reality, the group has recently expanded its membership.
Challenge to U.S. Dominance: He views the expansion and growing influence of BRICS as an attempt to undermine the U.S.-led world order and has stated that losing the dollar's reserve currency status would be like "losing a major world war".
Claims of Member Departure: Trump has repeatedly and without evidence claimed that countries are "dropping out" of the BRICS group due to his tariff threats, a claim rejected by BRICS leaders and contradicted by the bloc's recent expansion.
"America First" Approach: His approach is rooted in his "America First" policy, where he seeks to use U.S. economic power to ensure the United States remains the primary global power, often using protectionist measures and unilateral threats against perceived economic rivals. Beyond economics, Trump's administration views BRICS as a challenge to the U.S.-led world order, which he believes promotes capitalism and freedom. His actions have been a significant topic of discussion at recent BRICS summits, where leaders have, in turn, criticized U.S. protectionist measures and unilateral tariffs.
BRICS nations, in turn, have criticized Trump's protectionist measures as a threat to the global economy and have sought to advance trade in local currencies, a move that has fueled tensions with the Trump administration.
2. Nigeria's Refusal to take in third-country deportees
Nigeria’s refusal to accept Venezuelan deportees or third-country prisoners from the US. Donald Trump is rewriting American immigration policy when it comes to deporting residents back to their countries of origin. These countries are being accused of dragging their heels to accept them or are refusing altogether to let them come back. In response, the Trump administration has now come up with a new policy of trying to persuade third party countries to accept these deportees. Originally, Trump stated that the top priority was to go after the worst of the worst that had slipped into this country (i.e. members of violent gangs, murderers, rapists and so forth). In practice, ICE is going after just any undocumented immigrant or people who appear to be undocumented.
His legal justification is the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
Back to Nigeria: Trump approached Nigeria about taking in ICE prisoners who were being deported. Nigeria flat out said no.
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/50...-us-trump-deportation-demands-africa-tariffs/
Nigeria has publicly stated that Trump is welcome to come to Nigeria to open talks on efforts to address security concerns regarding Nigeria's Christians as long as Nigeria's sovereignty is respected. However, other people including this former government official didn't see it quite that way. There is a huge Twitter Feud going on over this.
1. BRICS
First is Nigeria's relationship with BRICS. What is BRICS? It is an intergovernmental organization that was originally started by Brazil, Russia, India, and China with the acronym "BRIC". In general, it seeks to coordinate policies aimed at economic development and political influence on the world stage to counter Western domination. It serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South: Global South
In 2010: South Africa joined and the acronym was changed to BRICS.
In 2024: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates joined.
In 2025: Indonesia and Saudi Arabia joined.
Partner Countries: In June 2024 at the Kazan Summit, a new category (i.e. partner country) was created through the Johannesburg Declaration. Partner countries include Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan and now Vietnam
Is President Donald Trump hostile towards BRICS? Yes he is: According to an AI search on this subject:
Donald Trump has expressed a hostile stance toward BRICS, repeatedly portraying the bloc as a direct threat to U.S. economic dominance and the global status of the U.S. dollar. He has referred to the group as an "attack on the dollar" and threatened member nations with severe tariffs if they pursue de-dollarization efforts.
Tariff Threats: Trump has threatened to impose massive tariffs, in some cases up to 100%, on goods from BRICS nations if they attempt to create a common currency or otherwise move away from using the U.S. dollar in international trade. He also threatened an additional 10% tariff on any country that aligns with "anti-American policies" of the BRICS group.
Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that his threats have caused countries to "drop out" of the BRICS group and that the alliance is "dead". In reality, the group has recently expanded its membership.
Challenge to U.S. Dominance: He views the expansion and growing influence of BRICS as an attempt to undermine the U.S.-led world order and has stated that losing the dollar's reserve currency status would be like "losing a major world war".
Claims of Member Departure: Trump has repeatedly and without evidence claimed that countries are "dropping out" of the BRICS group due to his tariff threats, a claim rejected by BRICS leaders and contradicted by the bloc's recent expansion.
"America First" Approach: His approach is rooted in his "America First" policy, where he seeks to use U.S. economic power to ensure the United States remains the primary global power, often using protectionist measures and unilateral threats against perceived economic rivals. Beyond economics, Trump's administration views BRICS as a challenge to the U.S.-led world order, which he believes promotes capitalism and freedom. His actions have been a significant topic of discussion at recent BRICS summits, where leaders have, in turn, criticized U.S. protectionist measures and unilateral tariffs.
BRICS nations, in turn, have criticized Trump's protectionist measures as a threat to the global economy and have sought to advance trade in local currencies, a move that has fueled tensions with the Trump administration.
2. Nigeria's Refusal to take in third-country deportees
Nigeria’s refusal to accept Venezuelan deportees or third-country prisoners from the US. Donald Trump is rewriting American immigration policy when it comes to deporting residents back to their countries of origin. These countries are being accused of dragging their heels to accept them or are refusing altogether to let them come back. In response, the Trump administration has now come up with a new policy of trying to persuade third party countries to accept these deportees. Originally, Trump stated that the top priority was to go after the worst of the worst that had slipped into this country (i.e. members of violent gangs, murderers, rapists and so forth). In practice, ICE is going after just any undocumented immigrant or people who appear to be undocumented.
His legal justification is the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/alien-enemies-act-explained
Back to Nigeria: Trump approached Nigeria about taking in ICE prisoners who were being deported. Nigeria flat out said no.
And to be honest, I have to agree. In addition to Nigeria's prisons are already overcrowded, the country has enough on its plate with problems of its own. And Nigeria isn't the only African country Trump has targeted. The US has reportedly made similar overtures to Benin, Eswatini, Libya and Rwanda. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c23gz78v5jjo
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/50...-us-trump-deportation-demands-africa-tariffs/
Nigeria has publicly stated that Trump is welcome to come to Nigeria to open talks on efforts to address security concerns regarding Nigeria's Christians as long as Nigeria's sovereignty is respected. However, other people including this former government official didn't see it quite that way. There is a huge Twitter Feud going on over this.
Last edited:
