The latest information indicates that the United States is implementing new tariff rates on various countries, with a general effective date of August 1, 2025, if no trade deals are reached. While the provided information does not specify a direct tariff rate for Niger, here's what we can infer:

Tariff Status for Niger:

• General Tariffs: The U.S. imposed a baseline 10% duty on goods from almost all trading partners in April, with a plan to escalate rates for select countries. Niger, as a trading partner, would likely fall under this general 10% baseline if no specific deal is made.

• BRICS Alignment: A significant factor for Niger is its potential alignment with BRICS. While Niger is not a full BRICS member, it is a "partner country." President Trump has stated that any country aligning with "Anti-American BRICS policies" will be charged an additional 10% tariff. This could mean Niger faces a total tariff of 20% (10% baseline + 10% BRICS-related) if its policies are deemed "anti-American" in relation to BRICS.

• Negotiations: The U.S. Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, has indicated that tariffs will kick in on August 1 if trading partners do not strike deals with Washington. While some countries (like the UK and Vietnam) have announced deals, and others (like China) have temporarily lowered levies, Niger has not been specifically mentioned as having reached a deal to avoid these new tariffs. The deadline for countries to negotiate trade deals was initially July 9, but the higher tariffs won't go into effect until August 1, providing a slight reprieve.

Trade Deals and Agreements with the U.S. (Current Status):

• No specific new bilateral trade deal with the U.S. has been announced for Niger to exempt it from the upcoming tariffs.

• African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA): Niger is generally eligible for preferential trade benefits under AGOA. However, recent events and the new tariff policies suggest that AGOA eligibility might be under review or superseded by these broader tariff measures, especially if no specific agreement is made.

• Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA): The U.S. has a TIFA with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), of which Niger is a member. These agreements aim to foster trade and investment relations, but their impact on the current tariff situation is unclear without a specific new deal.

• Diplomatic and Security Relations: U.S. relations with Niger have been historically friendly, with cooperation on counter-terrorism, health, and education. However, Niger terminated its military cooperation agreement with the U.S. in March 2024, and U.S. troops completed their withdrawal in September 2024. This change in security cooperation could potentially influence broader trade relations, though it's not directly stated as a reason for specific tariffs.

U.S. Companies Operating in Niger:

• U.S. investment in Niger has historically been small. As of a 2021 report, there was "only one U.S. firm operating in Niger outside of U.S. Government-related projects."

• Niger's economy is largely agrarian, but it is a significant producer of uranium and has deposits of gold, coal, and phosphates, attracting foreign direct investment in the mining and energy sectors.

• Companies looking to do business in Niger face challenges related to limited transport and energy infrastructure, security threats, and political instability.

• While there are major U.S. companies operating across Africa (like General Electric, ExxonMobil, Procter & Gamble, Wal-Mart, IBM, FedEx, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola Foundation, Ernst and Young), the specific presence of many of these in Niger directly is not widely publicized or substantial.

In summary, Niger is likely to face the general U.S. tariffs of 10%, with a strong possibility of an additional 10% if its alignment with BRICS policies is deemed "anti-American" by the U.S. No specific bilateral trade deal has been announced to exempt Niger from these upcoming tariffs, and the recent shifts in security cooperation between the two countries may also play a role in the broader trade landscape.