Trump gave Lesotho the biggest tax bill of any place on his new list. He wants Americans bringing things from this small African country to pay 50% more. Lesotho makes clothes—blue jeans mainly—and ships diamonds to American stores. The numbers look bad for America since Lesotho sells $237 million worth of stuff but buys less than $3 million from US companies. Tough news hit Thursday when Trump said he planned these equal taxes on many countries.
The minister in charge of Lesotho trade plans to fly people to Washington right away. He worries factories might close tomorrow and workers might lose their jobs next week. Trump believes these taxes help fix money problems between America and other lands. He wants to change how much more America buys than sells. Lesotho became successful by using a special deal called the African Growth and Opportunity Act from 2000.
President Clinton started this plan years ago to help African countries build stronger money systems. Lesotho made clothes for famous brands like Levi's and Wrangler because they paid no extra taxes before. Clothes make up three-quarters of what Lesotho ships to America each year. The US ranks second only to South Africa as their biggest customer. Money from American sales equals more than 10% of everything Lesotho earns yearly.
A factory boss named Teboho Kobeli said he felt crushed by this news. His business gives jobs to 2,000 people making clothes. He spent all day talking with government people about what happened next. The US market matters greatly since they cannot just walk away from American buyers. Trade expert Colette van der Ven called the 50% tax strange and backward. She finds it funny that America punishes Lesotho for doing exactly what America asked them to do years ago.
Other African places face high taxes from Trump. Madagascar must pay 47% more. Mauritius pays 40% extra. Botswana sees 37% higher costs. South Africa deals with 30% increases. Nigeria pays 14% more on everything they sell to Americans. Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, and Liberia all pay the lowest amount at 10%. These last countries sell less to America than they buy, which Trump likes better. Americans calling this unfair say these taxes hurt the exact success story America helped create.
The minister in charge of Lesotho trade plans to fly people to Washington right away. He worries factories might close tomorrow and workers might lose their jobs next week. Trump believes these taxes help fix money problems between America and other lands. He wants to change how much more America buys than sells. Lesotho became successful by using a special deal called the African Growth and Opportunity Act from 2000.
President Clinton started this plan years ago to help African countries build stronger money systems. Lesotho made clothes for famous brands like Levi's and Wrangler because they paid no extra taxes before. Clothes make up three-quarters of what Lesotho ships to America each year. The US ranks second only to South Africa as their biggest customer. Money from American sales equals more than 10% of everything Lesotho earns yearly.
A factory boss named Teboho Kobeli said he felt crushed by this news. His business gives jobs to 2,000 people making clothes. He spent all day talking with government people about what happened next. The US market matters greatly since they cannot just walk away from American buyers. Trade expert Colette van der Ven called the 50% tax strange and backward. She finds it funny that America punishes Lesotho for doing exactly what America asked them to do years ago.
Other African places face high taxes from Trump. Madagascar must pay 47% more. Mauritius pays 40% extra. Botswana sees 37% higher costs. South Africa deals with 30% increases. Nigeria pays 14% more on everything they sell to Americans. Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, and Liberia all pay the lowest amount at 10%. These last countries sell less to America than they buy, which Trump likes better. Americans calling this unfair say these taxes hurt the exact success story America helped create.
