In a powerful display of unity, Lesotho's textile workers took to the streets, marching against the devastating impact of US tariffs on their livelihoods. The protest, led by six trade unions, highlighted the dire consequences of the 50% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which have now been reduced to 15%. The small southern African nation's textile sector, a vital source of employment for around 2.3 million people, has been particularly hard-hit. The sector previously benefited from duty-free access to US markets under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which expired at the end of September. The march, attended by approximately 400 people, carried flags and chants demanding a reduction in tariffs to 10%, which would ease competition with other African textile-producing countries like Eswatini and Kenya, which faced lower tariffs. The protest also called for the immediate renewal of AGOA, a cornerstone of US-Africa trade relations for 25 years, which has been crucial in eliminating duties on cars, clothes, and other items worth billions of dollars. The Lesotho government has declared a 'state of disaster' due to soaring unemployment, with a 38% rate among young people. The protest, led by trade union leader Sam Mokhele, handed a petition to the ministers of trade and labor, and the prime minister's office, urging the government to negotiate for the immediate renewal of AGOA. The march also featured a powerful statement from 53-year-old textile worker Mamakalo Mohapi, who emphasized the dire consequences of the tariffs and the urgent need for AGOA's renewal. With factories closing and jobs at risk, the protest serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of trade policies and the need for a balanced approach to international trade.
