Storyline: Lesotho - one of the world’s least developed countries, as classified by the United Nations - is facing steep hurdles now in its textile exports in the wake of U.S. sweeping “reciprocal tariffs.” Lesotho’s economy heavily depends on textile exports, particularly to the United States. But under the new tariff regime, its garments are now subject to a staggering 50-percent duty. In the capital city Maseru, the founder of a major garment factory warned that the high tariffs will deliver a crippling blow to the country's already fragile economy. Workers have also voiced growing uncertainty about their future as the economic fallout begins to take hold. Shotlist: Maseru, Lesotho - April 12, 2025: 1. Various of workers, factory 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Teboho Kobeli, founder, managing director, Afri Expo Textiles (ending with shot 3): "These tariffs come as a shock to us, to our business, to Lesotho as a country and its economy. No buyer will consider coming to Lesotho to put their orders on their tariff of 50 percent. So basically that means the business stops. We need to soldier on. We need to look for other markets." 3. Various of workers making clothes 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Malerai Mosotho, production manager, Afri Expo Textiles: "[There are] around 200 people that are sitting at home. That means they have families to feed. Some of them got five heads under them. So if one person that was waking is now unemployed, that means it's a disaster for the whole family and for us also the production, the income, because the minute the production declines, it means the income also." 5. SOUNDBITE (English) staff member, Afri Expo Textiles (name not given): "It has affected me negatively. I'm scared that I might lose my job because you know, if we are not able to export, that means there'll be no income and the prices are going higher each and every day for basic needs." 6. Various of workers making clothes. []