Trump Hits Lesotho with Higher Tariffs Weeks After Mocking It as ‘Unknown

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50 percent tariff on imports from Lesotho, the highest for any African nation and second globally after China, weeks after mocking the small kingdom as a country “nobody has ever heard of.”

Lesotho, a landlocked nation reliant on textile exports to the US, faces a severe economic hit, with the new tariffs threatening an industry that employs around 40,000 people.

In 2024, Lesotho exported $237.3 million worth of goods to the US while importing just $2.8 million, creating a trade deficit of $234.5 million in its favour.

The tariffs come as part of Trump’s strategy to counter trade imbalances and target countries with high duties on US goods.

Lesotho’s import tariffs on American products stand at 99 percent, making it a key focus of the policy shift.

Trump’s remarks about Lesotho surfaced during a congressional address, where he criticised US foreign aid, citing funds allocated to LGBTQ+ initiatives in the country.

The comments drew laughter from lawmakers and a sharp response from Lesotho’s government, which invited Trump to visit.

Neighbouring South Africa has also been hit with a 31 percent tariff on its exports, prompting calls for new trade negotiations with Washington.

The latest tariffs further signal the winding down of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free access to US markets for African nations but is set to expire this year.

Analysts warn that the move could cripple industries in several African economies that have relied on the trade pact for over two decades.

With the new tariffs in place, Lesotho and other affected nations face mounting economic uncertainty, as businesses scramble to adjust to a rapidly changing trade landscape.

ligadwah@businessdayafrica.org