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AGOA Days From Expiration as Lesotho Reports Likely One-Year U.S. Extension

African exporters face tariff spikes with Washington yet to state its position.

A container ship is unloaded at the Port of Los Angeles, in San Pedro, California, U.S., May 1, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo
Image
William Ruto, President of Kenya, speaks during an interview with Reuters at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations, during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, U.S., September 24, 2025. REUTERS/Bing Guan
William Ruto, President of Kenya, speaks during an interview with Reuters at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations, during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, U.S., September 24, 2025. REUTERS/Bing Guan

Overview

  • Lesotho’s trade minister said U.S. lawmakers signaled a one-year AGOA renewal to be enacted by November or December following meetings on Capitol Hill.
  • AGOA still sunsets on September 30, raising the risk of immediate tariff hikes and job losses for sectors built on duty-free access, including Lesotho’s garment factories.
  • A White House spokesperson did not comment, and Senate Finance Committee Democrats said the administration has not communicated its stance even as congressional support for renewal persists.
  • Kenya’s President William Ruto said he will push for at least a five-year extension and expects to conclude a separate U.S.-Kenya trade deal by year-end.
  • Without AGOA, duties would jump sharply—Lesotho officials project around 31% on exports, while synthetic textiles could face increases of 10% to 43%.