Lesotho was hit with the highest U.S. tariffs on the African continent, a 50% levy on its exports, before President Donald Trump paused the move for 90 days. The kingdom’s trade minister is warning that if those duties go ahead, Lesotho could face a liquidity crisis.

Trump announced this month that tariffs of at least 10% will apply to most imports, with even steeper rates targeting goods from around 60 countries, all in a push to curb what he calls unfair trade imbalances.

Lesotho is now hoping to launch high-level talks with Washington.

On today’s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja speaks with Maarten Van Doesburg, Head of Economics at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, about what could be at stake in those negotiations — and what Trump might really want in the long run.

For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

Lesotho was hit with the highest U.S. tariffs on the African continent, a 50% levy on its exports, before President Donald Trump paused the move for 90 days. The kingdom&rsquo;s trade minister is warning that if those duties go ahead, Lesotho could face a liquidity crisis.
Trump announced this month that tariffs of at least 10% will apply to most imports, with even steeper rates targeting goods from around 60 countries, all in a push to curb what he calls unfair trade imbalances. Lesotho is now hoping to launch high-level talks with Washington. On today&rsquo;s episode, Jennifer Zabasajja speaks with Maarten Van Doesburg, Head of Economics at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, about what could be at stake in those negotiations &mdash; and what Trump might really want in the long run.
For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa?sref=OOcVchU0"> here</a>

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the business stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent. 

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the business stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent.

Inside the stories shaping the world’s fastest-growing continent.

Next Africa

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent. 

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent.

Tariffs, Trump, and the Stakes for Lesotho

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f4286de7-2d95-49a6-9f9e-b2c2013ff190/transcript

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