The small southern African nation of Lesotho has become a victim of US President Donald Trump’s trade policies after being slapped with record-high tariffs of 50% on its exports, the highest in the world. The country is home to several textile factories that produce jeans and other clothing items for American brands like Levi’s and Wrangler.
Lesotho’s unique geography makes it an attractive location for manufacturing, with some 75% of its output exported to the US. However, this has led to a backlash from the Trump administration, which claims that Lesotho charges a whopping 99% tariff on US goods – although the government disputes this figure.
The high tariffs have significant implications for Lesotho’s economy, particularly in the textile industry, which employs around 12,000 people. The country’s Trade Minister has vowed to find new markets and negotiate with the US to avoid factory closures. Despite its small size and relatively low income levels – nearly half of the population lives below the poverty line – Lesotho remains a significant player in the global trade landscape.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/lesotho-us-trump-tariffs-b337efa47290e889aa076cc9ede7bc9d