136
The Government of Lesotho has said it will continue to negotiate with the United States to reduce the high tariffs placed on its exports, especially in the textile and clothing sector. This move comes after the US government decided to reduce its heavy 50% tariff on all goods from Lesotho to 15%, starting from 7th August 2025.
Speaking during a press briefing in Maseru on Friday, Mr Mokhethi Shelile, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development, said that although Lesotho had asked for the tariff to be reduced to 10%, the new 15% rate will still bring some relief to the country’s struggling exporters.
“Our initial request was for the tariff to be brought down to the general rate of 10% which applies to all countries. But even at 15%, this is far better than the 50% that was killing our exporters, especially in the textile and apparel industry,” the minister said.
Lesotho’s textile sector was one of the biggest victims of the US government’s “America First Trade Policy”, which led to a blanket increase in tariffs in April 2025. The US claimed the policy was aimed at protecting American jobs, but small African countries like Lesotho, which depend on the US market, were badly affected.
During a 90-day negotiation window which ended on 31st July, the US had temporarily brought the tariffs down to 10% to allow room for talks. Minister Shelile said Lesotho used that opportunity to make strong efforts on many fronts. These included direct engagements with the US Embassy in Maseru, consultations with American lobbyists who explained to US lawmakers how the high tariffs would make clothes more expensive for US consumers, and final efforts led by Minister of Finance Dr Retselisitsoe Matlanyane and the Lesotho Embassy in Washington DC.
He stressed that the government of Lesotho will not relent in its demand for a fairer trade deal. “We are still committed to continuing negotiations so that our exports can enjoy the minimum tariffs that the US applies,” he said.
Before April 2025, Lesotho had been exporting duty-free and quota-free goods to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This trade agreement allowed several African countries to grow their export industries by giving them free access to the US market. In Lesotho, this supported the growth of the textile sector, which now provides jobs for thousands of people, especially women.
Many factory workers in Maseru, Maputsoe, and other industrial towns have expressed fears over possible job losses if the US continues with its high-tariff stance. Some factory owners have already complained that their profit margins are being reduced and orders from US buyers are dropping.
Minister Shelile noted that the United States remains one of Lesotho’s main trading partners and said that both countries must maintain a strong relationship. “This relationship needs continuous nurturing,” he added.
Lesotho’s exports to the US mainly include clothing, textiles, footwear, and some agricultural products. The country relies heavily on the foreign exchange and employment that come from these exports.
Meanwhile, there are expectations that a new SADC-USA Dialogue Forum will be launched during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in Madagascar, which will run until 18th August. This forum may provide an opportunity for southern African countries to speak with one voice in seeking better trade terms with America.
Analysts say Lesotho is just one of many smaller African nations that may be pushed to the edge if the US continues to increase tariffs in the name of economic nationalism. They warn that such actions could weaken decades of partnership built under AGOA and reduce investment in Africa’s light manufacturing sector.
