Maseru, Mar. 26 — The Head of State, King Letsie III says Lesotho will suffer from Donald Trump’s aid cuts and stands to lose up to 40,000 jobs if the latter also cancels a trade pact granting duty-free access to the American market.
He is reported to have said this in an interview with Agence France – Presse (AFP) ahead of a trip to Europe on Wednesday.
Lesotho is heavily reliant on exports and foreign aid to fund its $2 billion gross domestic product.
“If AGOA is terminated, it will have an immediate impact on the economy because it could mean the loss of jobs for 30,000 to 40,000 people,” King Letsie III told AFP in his palace in Matsieng, some 45 kilometres (28 miles) from the capital Maseru. AT/TL
