Lesotho Declares State of Disaster After U.S. Tariffs. Rescissions Impact U.N.

By Kate Bartlett,

Michele Kelemen, Christine Arrasmith

Published July 24, 2025 at 9:09 AM EDT

An overview of textile factories on July 5, 2025 in Ha Thetsane Industrial Area in Maseru, Lesotho. The tiny mountain kingdom has around 35,000 garment workers and many of them face an uncertain future.

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Kate Bartlett

Michele Kelemen

Michele Kelemen has been with NPR for two decades, starting as NPR's Moscow bureau chief and now covering the State Department and Washington's diplomatic corps. Her reports can be heard on all NPR News programs, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

See stories by Michele Kelemen

Christine Arrasmith

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