US EditionLesotho’s textile factories face closures despite US tariff cut
LESOTHO, AUG 1 – Lesotho's textile sector employs 30,000 but faces closures due to a 15% U.S. tariff, higher than competitors' 10%, causing ongoing job losses, officials said.
- On Friday, Lesotho saw its U.S. export tariff reduced from 50% to 15%, but its textile industry still faces massive factory closures.
- The Trump administration announced a 50% tariff on imports from Lesotho, prompting layoffs as textile factories reported closures.
- Over 30,000 workers staff the Lesotho textile industry, including about 12,000 in U.S.-export garment factories, and Tzicc sent home most of its 12,000 workers.
- Faced with disadvantage, many factories will have to close, as Chen said Kenya's 10% tariff makes it a more favorable competitor.
- Amid regional tariff hikes, trade growth may stall, as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative reports $240.1 million bilateral trade in 2024, while South Africa faces a 30% reciprocal tariff.
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Govt, firms not happy with 15% US tariffs - Sunday Express
. . . but unionist claims 11 upbeat factories promise to re-open next month Mathatisi Sebusi THE government has expressed dissatisfaction with the recently reduced 15 percent tariffs imposed on Lesotho’s exports to the United States. While 15 percent is a much softer tariff regime compared with the expected 50 percent tariff threshold, Maseru still argues that the new rate still leaves the country hamstrung among its competitors, which will rend…
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Leaning Left9Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Left
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56% Left
L 56%
C 38%
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