Triumph

MASERU, Lesotho – President Trump in March described Lesotho as a place “Nobody has heard”, and then this week he hit the small African kingdom with the highest of his “reciprocal” commercial tariffs For any single nation.

The so -called “Liberation Day” of Mr. Trump duty It included a 50% whopper of the small imports of the impoverished nation, and the Government of Lesotho quickly said that he would send a delegation to Washington.

“We need to travel urgently to the United States to interact with its executives and claim our case,” said Commerce Minister Mokhethi Shellil to journalists on Thursday. “My biggest concern was the immediate closure of factories and job losses.”

The Annual Gross Domestic Product of $ 2 billion Lesotho depends largely on exports, mainly on textiles, including jeans.

“There are 11 factories in the country, most of which export goods to the USA and provide employment to 12,000 workers,” Shellil said. “The goods currently in production will be affected by these rates and will not be exported to the United States”

He said he had asked the factories to continue operating “while we worked in solutions”, and added that American action showed that his country needed to “diversify” their commercial relations, which said he had already begun to explore.

“We cannot only trust the United States,” he said. “While this transition will take time, the process is already underway.”

To determine the rates of its new rates, the White House used a formula to calculate the sum of all the commercial practices that it considers unfair from other nations, including currency manipulation, rates and other barriers. Economists have questioned the methodology and many Foreign governments have complained The taxes are unfair and misrepresent their commercial imbalances with the United States

The White House affirms, through that formula, that Lesotho imposes tariffs of 99% and other barriers for imports from the United States.

The small kingdom is shown below, sometimes called “the Switzerland of Africa” ​​thanks to its mountain landscape. The White House took a greater success of the White House than any other country.

Where is the Lesotho?

Completely surrounded by South Africa, Lesotho is the largest of only three states nestled in the world, but it is much larger than the city of San Marino or the Vatican, which are inside the borders of Italy.

At approximately 11,720 square miles, it is approximately the same size as Belgium, but has a population of approximately 2.3 million, compared to the almost 12 million Belgium.

Lesotho is known for the beauty of its mountainous terrain and the “kingdom in the sky” is established.

More than 80% of the country is 5,900 feet above sea level and is home to the only southern Africa ski season. Its highest peak is Mount Thabana Ntlenyana, with an altitude of 11,424 feet.

A constitutional monarchy such as Great Britain, is governed by the 61 -year -old King Letsie III, who has no formal power. The Government is led by a selected prime minister through national parliamentary elections.

What is Lesotho’s economy like?

With an annual gross domestic product of just over $ 2 billion, Lesotho depends largely on South Africa, its largest commercial partner, which matters most of its food, selling water in return.

The economy has depended largely on textile exports aimed at the United States through the commercial agreement of the Law on Growth and Opportunities of Africa (AUGA), which provides free access to US market taxes for some African products. The imposition of Trump administration tariffs on African nations has raised questions about the probability that the White House will be renewed the Agaa Pact when it expires in September.

His traditional Basotho blankets are a national symbol and recognized by their vibrant patterns and wool warmth. They are often loaded with meaning, from celebrating life and nationality, to fertility and royalty, peace, love and courage.

Lesotho is among the poorest countries in the world despite the huge mineral reserves. The company of British Mines Gem Diamonds said in 2018 that he had discovered a 910 carat stone in one of its various diamond mines Lesotho.

The country was also a pioneer in cannabis growth for medical use in Africa.

Unemployment has remained stubbornly high, reaching almost 25% in 2023, according to the World Bank.

“Poverty and inequality remain significant challenges,” says the World Bank. “Despite efforts to improve the standard of living, a significant part of the population of Lesothh Health, reducing the workforce and the increase in HIV/AIDS dependence rates. “

A link to Prince Harry through charity, until recently

A beneficial organization co -founded by Prince Harry in Lesotho to help people who live with HIV turned this month after a bitter joint room led the youngest son of King Carlos III To give up as a patron.

Its president born in Zimbabwe, Sophie Chandauka, publicly accused the prince of “intimidation” And being involved in a “cover -up”, accusations that the old real has ruled out as lies.

Harry founded the beneficial organization in 2006 with Prince’s Prince of Lesotho, before he expanded to Botswana.

The name of the beneficial organization, sentebale, is a tribute to her mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car accident in Paris in 1997 when she was only 12 years old.

Lesotho’s fight with HIV/AIDS

At least one in four adults in Lesotho is infected with HIV, one of the highest rates in the world.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 230,000 people received antiretroviral treatment in 2021.

In 2020, the country achieved the objective of the UN “90-90-90” of 90% of people with the diagnosed virus, in treatment and achieving viral suppression.

The country also has the second highest incidence of tuberculosis in the world, estimated in 724 cases per 100,000 people.

In:
• Africa
• Duty
• Donald Trump
• Lesotho