The recent US Liberation Day tariffs announcement has sent shock waves to the world, and punched Lesotho the hardest, with a total of 50% import tariffs.

Africa Expo in Lesotho supplies South Africa with 90% of its products. The remaining 10% goes to the US market and getting this 10% right is what opens many doors to the rest of the globe.

But the recent 50% US tariffs announcement dealt a hard blow to companies like Africa Expo.

Teboho Kobeli, Africa Expo’s Chief Executive Officer, says that while government has given some reassurances to save jobs, an attempt to resuscitate the AGOA might at this point might be a bit too late.

Kobeli adds that, this is a wake up call for Africa to start implementing its inter-Africa trade policies, robustly.

The Kingdom of Lesotho says it will be exploring all viable options locally and abroad.

Meanwhile, the textile industry remains one of the largest employers in Lesotho, and the United States is the single largest importer with favourable import conditions.

Should there be no negotiated settlement on tariffs, Lesotho textile industry may not survive this shock.