Hours after signing a $21 billion trade and economic agreement with China, hailed as a “massive victory” for the United States, President Donald Trump sparked global alarm by threatening military action against Nigeria over religious violence.
In a social media post, Trump accused the Nigerian government of “allowing the killing of Christians” and warned that the US could “go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing.”
He added that he had instructed the Department of War to prepare for “possible action,” promising any US strike would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
The Nigerian government has not yet issued an official response.
The outburst came just as the White House released details of Trump’s new trade deal with China, which he described as a “rebalancing” of economic ties.
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The agreement, reached during his visit to the Republic of Korea, includes major Chinese concessions on fentanyl precursors, rare earth minerals, and agricultural trade, long-standing US concerns.
Trump Signs Deal with China
According to the statement, Beijing will halt the export of chemicals used to make fentanyl, lift retaliatory tariffs on US agricultural goods, and open its markets to American soybeans, sorghum, and hardwood logs.
The US, in turn, will ease some tariffs imposed on Chinese imports and suspend certain Section 301 enforcement measures for a year.
“This historic agreement safeguards US economic strength and national security while putting American workers, farmers, and families first,” the White House said.
China also agreed to remove restrictions on rare earth exports, ensuring continued access for US industries reliant on critical minerals such as gallium, germanium, and graphite.
In return, Washington will maintain a 10% reciprocal tariff on Chinese goods but delay additional trade penalties until late 2026.
If implemented, the China deal would mark Trump’s foreign economic achievement since returning to office.
Nigeria Respond to Trump
In a measured response, Nigeria’s president reaffirmed his country’s commitment to religious freedom and constitutional governance, rejecting Trump’s claims of persecution.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” the president said in a statement Monday. “Since 2023, our administration has maintained open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.”
He added that describing Nigeria as “religiously intolerant” misrepresents the nation’s reality and ongoing efforts to ensure equality and freedom of belief.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” he said. “Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.”
Nigeria Swing to Action
Nigeria’s military has said that troops across the country intensified offensive operations over the past 48 hours, crushing several terrorist cells, rescuing 17 people taken in kidnappings and detaining 20 suspects.
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In a statement posted on its official X account, the Nigerian Army said operations were conducted simultaneously in the North-East, North-West, North-Central, and South-South regions and credited joint task forces, local volunteer units, and air components with disrupting planned attacks and seizing arms and logistics.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully thwarted multiple terrorist attacks and neutralized key threats,” the army said
The service posted a detailed operational account of clashes in Borno and Adamawa states, including the foiling of a suspected vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) in Kukawa and the discovery and disposal of roadside bombs along supply routes.
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