Lesotho relieved after US tariffs expire

Goods made in Lesotho will once again enter the US duty-free after Washington’s tariffs expired on 29 July, reports GroundUp. It comes as a relief to the country’s export-dependent garment industry and thousands of workers whose jobs were threatened. The restoration of duty-free access follows the expiry on 29 July of 122 tariffs that were imposed in February 2026, after the US Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration’s initial ‘reciprocal’ tariffs. The Lesotho Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development said the move restores Lesotho’s preferential access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), returning exports to the pre-tariff regime of zero duties. The Ministry said textiles, apparel and fisheries products will now enter the US duty-free. It also said Lesotho escaped a new round of US Section 301 tariffs imposed on 24 July on 60 countries, meaning the country will continue enjoying duty-free access. The announcement follows months of uncertainty for Lesotho’s largest manufacturing sector after the Trump administration introduced sweeping tariffs earlier this year. Despite the reprieve, uncertainty remains over Agoa itself. The trade agreement, which grants eligible African countries duty-free access to the US market, is due to expire on 31 December 2026 unless renewed.

Full GroundUp report