Maseru, Lesotho – Lesotho has found itself at the top of the United States’ latest tariff list, with the highest import tax rate imposed by former President Donald Trump. In a trade policy announcement on Wednesday, Trump declared that goods imported from the small southern African nation would now be subject to a 50% tariff, the steepest increase among all affected countries.

The decision is part of what Trump termed “reciprocal tariffs,” a broad measure targeting dozens of countries, including 20 in Africa. While all listed nations will face a minimum 10% tax on their exports to the US, Lesotho has been hit particularly hard due to its significant trade surplus with America. The country is a major exporter of textiles, especially jeans, as well as diamonds to the US market.

Concerns Over Job Losses and Factory Closures

The new tariff hike has sparked concerns within Lesotho’s government, particularly over the potential economic impact. Trade Minister Mokhethi Shelile has expressed alarm, warning that the steep tariffs could lead to factory closures and widespread job losses in the country’s textile sector, which employs thousands of workers.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Shelile confirmed that Lesotho would send a delegation to Washington to negotiate against the tariffs. “My biggest concern was the immediate closure of factories and job losses,” he said, as quoted by AFP news agency.

US Trade Deficit a Key Factor

Trump’s latest tariff measures align with his broader economic strategy to reduce the US trade deficit. The former president frequently emphasized the need for “fair” trade policies and sought to balance the US’s trade relationships with various nations. Lesotho’s significant trade surplus with the US—driven by its textile and diamond industries—appears to have made it a primary target for these new tariffs.

As Lesotho prepares to engage in diplomatic efforts to reverse or mitigate the tariffs, businesses and workers in the country brace for potential economic fallout. The full impact of the new tariffs remains to be seen, but for now, Lesotho faces a challenging trade landscape with one of its largest markets.