Trump’s biggest tariff is on Lesotho Jr. This is about the African kingdom.

Marceru, Lesotho – President Trump described Lesotho as “a place no one has ever heard of” in March, and then he hit the tiny African kingdom with the highest status of his “reciprocity” Trade tariffs For any country.

Mr. Trump calls “Liberation Day” tariff Including a 50% tax on import taxes to the poor country, the Lesotho government quickly said it would send a delegation to Washington.

“We need to go to the U.S. urgently and interact with its executives and defend it,” Trade Minister Mokhethi Shelile told reporters on Thursday. “My biggest concern is the immediate shutdown of factories and unemployment.”

Lesotho has an annual GDP of US$2 billion and is highly dependent on exports, most of which are textiles, including jeans.

“The country has 11 factories, most of which export goods to the United States and provide employment to 12,000 workers,” Hillier said. “The goods currently produced will be affected by these tariffs and will not be exported to the United States.”

He said he asked the factory to continue operating “when we work on solutions”, adding that the U.S. action shows his country needs to “diversify” its trade relations, which he said has begun to explore.

“We can’t rely solely on the United States,” he said. “While this transition will take time, the process is already underway.”

To determine the rate of its new tariffs, the White House used formulas to calculate the sum of all trade practices it considers unfair to other countries, including currency manipulation, tariffs and other obstacles. Economists question this approach, many Foreign government complains Taxation is unfair and distorts trade imbalance with the United States

The White House has used the formula to claim that Lesotho imposes 99% tariffs and other obstacles on U.S. imports.

Here is a view of the little kingdom, sometimes called “Africa Switzerland”, thanks to its mountainous areas. This week, the White House tariffs were larger than any other country.

Where is Lesotho?

Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa and is the largest of only three countrymen in the world, but it is much larger than San Marino or Vatican City, both within the Italian border.

The approximately 11,720 square miles are the same size as Belgium, but the population is about 2.3 million, compared to Belgium’s nearly 12 million.

Lesotho is known for its beautiful beauty in the mountains and has styled itself as “the kingdom in the sky”.

More than 80% of the country’s sea level is 5,900 feet high, and it is home to the only ski resort in southern Africa. Its highest peak is Thabana Ntlenyana Mountain, at an altitude of 11,424 feet.

It is a constitutional monarchy like Britain, ruled by 61-year-old King Letsie III, who has no formal powers. The government is led by the Prime Minister elected through the National Parliamentary elections.

How is Lesotho’s economy?

Lesotho has a GDP of over $2 billion a year, mainly depending on South Africa (it is the largest trading partner), from which it imports most of its food in return for the sale of water.

The economy has been relying on textile exports through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade agreement, which provides certain African products with no obligations to the U.S. market. The Trump administration has raised questions about African countries’ tariffs, which is about the possibility of the White House renewing the AGOA agreement when it expires in September.

Its traditional Basolo blanket is a national symbol and is known for its vibrant patterns and warm wool. From celebrating life and nationality to childbirth and royalty, peace, love and courage, they are often full of meaning.

Despite its huge mineral reserves, Lesotho is the poorest country in the world. British mining company Gem Diamonds said in 2018 that it found 910 carat stones in one of its several Lesotho Diamond Mines.

The country has also pioneered growth in medical use of cannabis in Africa.

According to the World Bank, the unemployment rate remains stubborn, reaching nearly 25% in 2023.

“Poverty and inequality remain a major challenge,” the World Bank said. Despite efforts to improve living standards, a large portion of Lesotho’s population lives below the poverty line, with rural areas particularly affected. Access to essential services such as health care, education and clean water is still limited, still limited, contributing to healthy health outcomes and education. The high rate of HIV/AIDS is high, the hazards of AIDS and tuberculosis and tuberculosis will promote the limitations of the healthcare system and enhance dependency work and increase dependency work.

Until recently, links with Prince Harry through charity

Charity co-founded by Prince Harry in Lesotho to help people with HIV suffer unrest this month Resign.

Its Zimbabwe-born chairman Sophie Chandauka openly Accusing the prince of “bullying” And participated in the “covering”, the former royal family was rejected by the lie.

Harry established a charity with the Prince of Lesotho in 2006, and then expanded to Botswana.

The charity, named Sentebale, is a tribute to his mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car accident in Paris in 1997 when he was only 12 years old.

Lesotho’s fight against HIV/AIDS

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

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

In 2020, the country achieved the UN’s “90-90-90” target, where 90% of the viruses were diagnosed with treatment and achieved viral suppression.

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