African nations that were hit hardest by the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs breathed a sigh of relief Thursday, as a 90-day pause was announced on tariffs that had threatened their key industries.

Among the countries most impacted were Lesotho, Madagascar, and South Africa, whose critical exports to the United States, including garments, vanilla, and citrus fruits, faced steep levies that put thousands of jobs at risk.

Lesotho, in particular, had been bracing for a 50% tariff on its textile exports, which would have devastated its garment industry, the country’s largest private employer.

In response to the tariff pause, Lesotho’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Mokhethi Shelile, expressed cautious optimism, stating, “This will give us an opportunity to negotiate tariff reductions so that the playing field is level for everyone.

This is a serious problem for us, but we are tackling it head on.”

Nearly half of Lesotho’s 30,000 garment workers rely on jobs in factories producing clothing for major American brands like Levi’s, Nike, and Reebok, and many feared that if the 50% tariff had been enforced, it would have led to the closure of more than a dozen factories and the loss of over 12,000 jobs.

Shelile highlighted the unfairness of the tariff disparities, pointing to regional competitors like Eswatini, which faced significantly lower tariffs.

“The problem arises when countries like Eswatini benefit from a 10% tariff while we are hit with a 50% tariff.

These are the very countries that are competing with us,” Shelile explained.

As workers in Lesotho’s garment factories, like machine operator Mareitumetse Lesia, face anxiety over their job security, the government is working to secure a favorable outcome in the upcoming trade negotiations.

Lesia, who assembles Levi’s jeans, voiced her concerns, saying, “I don’t quite understand what’s going on, but I heard on the radio that our jobs are at risk.

I hope it’s not true.

I know what it’s like to have nothing to eat.”

Madagascar, the world’s largest vanilla producer, also benefited from the tariff suspension, as the 47% tariff on its vanilla exports to the U.S. was lifted temporarily.

However, the relief was short-lived for exporters, who rushed to ship their vanilla to the U.S. before the suspension expires.

As shipping times can take up to 90 days, many were uncertain whether the product would arrive before tariffs were reinstated.

One Madagascar exporter, who requested anonymity, said, “All our American customers have been asking us since this morning to load the vanilla onto the cargo ships so we can meet the deadlines.”

South Africa’s citrus industry, another key exporter, also received a temporary reprieve with the tariff suspension.

However, the country still faces a 10% blanket tariff, which has impacted its citrus exports to the U.S.

The citrus industry, which is vital to the economy of South Africa and supports 35,000 jobs, had previously faced a 30% tariff, which threatened the livelihoods of many in the sector.

Boisthoko Ntshabele, executive director of the Southern African Citrus Growers Association, acknowledged the brief relief but warned that the industry is not out of the woods.

“This gives us some breathing room, but the uncertainty is still there,” he said.

Additionally, the expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has granted duty-free access to the U.S. for several African exports, is looming, with fears that the agreement may not be renewed under the current administration.

“It will be very difficult to retain AGOA given the Trump administration’s stance,” said South African Trade Minister Parks Tau.

The suspension of tariffs may have temporarily lifted some of the pressure on African exporters, but the uncertainty surrounding future U.S. trade policies, especially with regard to the expiration of key trade agreements like AGOA, leaves many industries uncertain about their long-term prospects in the American market.

As Lesotho, Madagascar, and South Africa continue to navigate these challenges, the clock is ticking on finding a permanent solution that ensures the continued success of their critical export industries.