Friday, October 3, 2025
  • Who’sWho Africa AWARDS
  • About TimeAfrica Magazine
  • Contact Us
Time Africa Magazine
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • WHO’SWHO AWARDS
  • News
  • World News
    • US
    • UAE
    • Europe
    • UK
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Russia-Ukraine
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Column
  • Interviews
  • Special Report
No Result
View All Result
Time Africa Magazine
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • WHO’SWHO AWARDS
  • News
  • World News
    • US
    • UAE
    • Europe
    • UK
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Russia-Ukraine
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Column
  • Interviews
  • Special Report
No Result
View All Result
Time Africa Magazine
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • WHO’SWHO AWARDS
  • News
  • Magazine
  • World News

Home » Special Report » How tiny Lesotho ended up with the highest US tariffs in the world

How tiny Lesotho ended up with the highest US tariffs in the world

By MICHELLE GUMEDE and MOGOMOTSI MAGOME

April 5, 2025
in Special Report
0
548
SHARES
4.6k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

JOHANNESBURG — If you have ever bought a pair of jeans from an American brand like Levi’s or Wrangler, chances are they were manufactured at a factory in the small southern African nation of Lesotho.

Textile manufacturing is one of Lesotho’s key industries, exporting some 75% of its output to the United States.

This is expected to change after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped a 50% tariff on imports from Lesotho, the highest among all countries. According to Trump, Lesotho charges a 99% tariff on U.S. goods, but the government said it doesn’t know how the U.S. administration calculated that figure. Government officials did not say Thursday what Lesotho’s tariffs on U.S. goods are.

Here is what the high tariffs mean for Lesotho:

ReadAlso

AfDB Approves New Strategy to Drive Economic Diversification and Private Sector-led Inclusive Growth in Lesotho

Lesotho accuses US of unfair tariffs as textile sector reels under economic pressure

A country ‘nobody has ever heard of’

Trump made fun of Lesotho in a speech in March, calling it a nation that “nobody has ever heard of.” Lesotho’s foreign minister reminded him that the U.S. has a diplomatic mission there.

Last year, the landlocked kingdom bordered on all sides by South Africa with a population of 2.3 million people, celebrated 200 years of the founding of the Basotho nation and 58 years of independence from British rule.

ADVERTISEMENT

Its picturesque scenery and mountainous views draw visitors from Africa and across the world, and during winter, Lesotho becomes one of the most sought-after skiing destinations.

What are Lesotho’s exports and the economy?

Lesotho does not pay tariffs on exports to Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland since it is a member of regional economic blocs such as the Southern African Customs Union. Main exports include clothing, diamonds, water, power, wool and mohair.

The new tariffs announced by Trump mean that American consumers will pay more for goods made in Lesotho, making them less competitive in the U.S market.

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, in 2024, U.S.-Lesotho bilateral trade stood at $240.1 million. Apart from clothing, Lesotho’s exports also include diamonds and other goods.

Classified as a lower-middle income country by the World Bank, nearly half of Lesotho’s 2.3 million population live below the poverty line, while a quarter are unemployed.

How has Lesotho reacted to tariffs?

Lesotho’s Trade Minister Mokhethi Shelile said his country will be on the prowl for new markets and use the Africa Continental Free Trade Area to increase exports to favourable destinations in Africa.

The government would also urgently send a delegation to the U.S. to negotiate a workable arrangement. Shelile said he’s concerned about the possible closure of textile factories, which employ about 12,000 people in Lesotho.

Source: AP
Tags: LesothoTarrif
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

In Tunisia, snails inch toward replacing red meat as people turn to cheaper protein

Next Post

China puts US TikTok deal on ice amid trade war

You MayAlso Like

Special Report

World leaders step up efforts behind the scenes at the UN to end the war in Sudan

September 27, 2025
Special Report

African Leaders Call for Bold, United Action to Tackle Global Health Crises, Sustain Malaria Progress

September 27, 2025
Special Report

Dangote vs. NUPENG: Is the Fuel Consumer the Real Casualty?

September 25, 2025
Special Report

Leaked Documents Reveal How Fr. Edwin Obiora Exploited Legal Instruments to Manipulate Late Msgr. Prof. John Bosco Akam

September 22, 2025
Special Report

‘African tribe’ ordered to leave Scottish forest

September 13, 2025
‘We were treated like animals,’ says Al-Husseina Amadou said. ‘Now we are free.’ Some estimates put the number of enslaved people in Niger at 130,000. Photograph: Fred Harter
Featured

‘TRIANGLE OF SHAME’: Niger Where Girls Are Still Bought Cheaply As ‘Wahaya’

September 13, 2025
Next Post

China puts US TikTok deal on ice amid trade war

Ford Recalls 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2023 Bronco SUVs Over Fears They Could Burst Into Flames

Discussion about this post

FIFA Strips South Africa of World Cup Qualifying Points After Administrative Blunder

The Guardian Newspaper Names Enugu Commissioner, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, Amongst 65 Most Inspiring, Award-Winning Business Leaders

Egyptian ‘strong man’ pulls 700-ton ship with his teeth

Prince Harry issues strongly-worded statement over King Charles meeting

Barack Obama admits he had to ‘dig himself out of a hole’ with Michelle amid divorce rumors

French ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to five years in prison in Libyan campaign-financing trial

  • British government apologizes to Peter Obi, as hired impostors, master manipulators on rampage abroad

    1241 shares
    Share 496 Tweet 310
  • Maids trafficked and sold to wealthy Saudis on black market

    1067 shares
    Share 427 Tweet 267
  • Flight Attendant Sees Late Husband On Plane

    973 shares
    Share 389 Tweet 243
  • ‘Céline Dion Dead 2023’: Singer killed By Internet Death Hoax

    904 shares
    Share 361 Tweet 226
  • Crisis echoes, fears grow in Amechi Awkunanaw in Enugu State

    735 shares
    Share 294 Tweet 184
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

British government apologizes to Peter Obi, as hired impostors, master manipulators on rampage abroad

April 13, 2023

Maids trafficked and sold to wealthy Saudis on black market

December 27, 2022
Flight Attendant Sees Late Husband On Plane

Flight Attendant Sees Late Husband On Plane

September 22, 2023
‘Céline Dion Dead 2023’: Singer killed By Internet Death Hoax

‘Céline Dion Dead 2023’: Singer killed By Internet Death Hoax

March 21, 2023
Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu, wife of Willie Obiano, former governor of Anambra state

NIGERIA: No, wife of Biafran warlord, Bianca Ojukwu lied – Ebele Obiano:

0

SOUTH AFRICA: TO LEAVE OR NOT TO LEAVE?

0
kelechi iheanacho

TOP SCORER: IHEANACHA

0
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

WHAT CAN’TBE TAKEN AWAY FROM JONATHAN

0

The Guardian Newspaper Names Enugu Commissioner, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, Amongst 65 Most Inspiring, Award-Winning Business Leaders

October 2, 2025

Poor sleep could make your brain age faster, study finds

October 2, 2025

Moroccans clash with police during protests against World Cup spending

October 1, 2025
ExxonMobil Foundation Brings STEM Regional Competition to African Energy Week

ExxonMobil Foundation Brings STEM Regional Competition to African Energy Week

September 30, 2025

ABOUT US

Time Africa Magazine

TIMEAFRICA MAGAZINE is an African Magazine with a culture of excellence; a magazine without peer. Nearly a third of its readers hold advanced degrees and include novelists, … READ MORE >>

SECTIONS

  • Aviation
  • Column
  • Crime
  • Europe
  • Featured
  • Gallery
  • Health
  • Interviews
  • Israel-Hamas
  • Lifestyle
  • Magazine
  • Middle-East
  • News
  • Politics
  • Press Release
  • Russia-Ukraine
  • Science
  • Special Report
  • Sports
  • TV/Radio
  • UAE
  • UK
  • US
  • World News

Useful Links

  • AllAfrica
  • Channel Africa
  • El Khabar
  • The Guardian
  • Cairo Live
  • Le Republicain
  • Magazine: 9771144975608
  • Subscribe to TIMEAFRICA MAGAZINE biweekly news magazine

    Enjoy handpicked stories from around African continent,
    delivered anywhere in the world

    Subscribe

    • About TimeAfrica Magazine
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • WHO’SWHO AWARDS

    © 2025 TimeAfrica Magazine - All Right Reserved. TimeAfrica Magazine Ltd is published by Times Associates, registered Nigeria. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • WHO’SWHO AWARDS
    • Politics
    • Column
    • Interviews
    • Gallery
    • Lifestyle
    • Special Report
    • Sports
    • TV/Radio
    • Aviation
    • Health
    • Science
    • World News

    © 2025 TimeAfrica Magazine - All Right Reserved. TimeAfrica Magazine Ltd is published by Times Associates, registered Nigeria. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service.

    This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.