The China–USA Trade War and the implication to Nigeria

This paper critically examines the multidimensional implications of the China–USA trade war for Nigeria, situating the analysis within global political economy frameworks, particularly dependency theory and world-systems analysis. While the trade conflict is frequently viewed as a bilateral dispute between two global powers, its ripple effects have extended far beyond, influencing trade patterns, foreign investment, technology flows, and diplomatic alignments across developing economies. For Nigeria, the trade war has exposed systemic vulnerabilities, including overdependence on oil exports, low manufacturing competitiveness, and constrained access to affordable technology. The paper explores both the theoretical opportunities for trade diversion and economic repositioning, as well as the practical limitations imposed by structural constraints such as infrastructure deficits, policy instability, and weak institutional capacity. It also considers the broader geopolitical context, especially Nigeria’s strategic dilemma in balancing its relations with China and the United States amid shifting global alliances. Ultimately, the study argues that Nigeria must adopt a proactive, reform-oriented approach to improve economic resilience, technological independence, and strategic diplomacy in a fragmenting world order.