Lesotho’s garment industry, a vital sector for the small African nation, is under threat following the U.S. administration’s imposition of a 50% tariff on its exports. In 2024, Lesotho exported $237 million in goods to the U.S. under the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), with the garment sector employing around 30,000 workers, predominantly women. The new tariffs jeopardize these jobs and the nation’s economic stability, as the sector accounts for 20% of GDP. Economists and local officials have criticized the tariff measures as unbalanced and detrimental to impoverished nations. The potential expiration of AGOA in September further compounds fears, leaving workers facing possible job losses and economic hardship. ​