'How will we survive?' Lesotho factory that made Trump golf shirts hit hard by US tariffs

A clothing factory in Lesotho, a small country in southern Africa, is facing serious trouble because of new tariffs from the United States. This factory, which once made golf shirts with the Trump brand, may have to close down soon. Earlier this year, the US government announced a 50 percent tariff on goods from Lesotho, which is much higher than for any other country. Although the tariff is currently on hold, President Trump has said it could return soon if a new agreement is not reached.

Aletta Seleso, who has worked at the Precious Garments factory for almost a decade, is very worried about her future. She used to work full-time and earn $160 a month, which she used to support her child, her mother, and her late sister’s two children. Now, because of the uncertainty, she only works two weeks a month and earns half as much. She says it is very hard to take care of her family with so little money. Many other workers are in the same situation. Some factories have already closed, and people are desperate to find new jobs. In another part of the city, dozens of people wait outside a closed factory, hoping it will reopen and they can get work. Puleng Selane, a mother of three, has been job-hunting since March. She now sells face masks to make a little money, but sometimes her family only eats once a day.

Lesotho is known as the 'denim capital of Africa' because it makes jeans for famous American brands like Levi’s and Wrangler. The garment industry is the biggest private employer in the country, with about 36,000 jobs left, down from 50,000 at its peak. The US used to let Lesotho export clothes without paying tariffs under a special law called the African Growth and Opportunity Act, but now that has changed. The government says it is trying to solve the problem by selling more clothes to South Africa, but many people are still worried. Youth unemployment is very high, and some people blame the government for not doing enough. Factories like TZICC, which used to make sportswear for big US stores, have had to lay off workers because orders have stopped. Many people in Lesotho are struggling and hope that things will improve soon.