**Lesotho Reacts Strongly to Trump's 'Unknown Country' Comments**

**The nation expresses surprise and displeasure as its government officials defend their significance in international relations.**

Lesotho's government has expressed its shock and disappointment after US President Donald Trump claimed in a recent address that “nobody has ever heard of” the southern African nation. This statement was made during Trump's first address to Congress since his return to office, where he criticized expenditures, including funds for promoting LGBTQI+ initiatives in Lesotho. The remarks drew laughter from some members of Congress, leading to a swift backlash from Lesotho’s government.

A spokesperson from Lesotho's foreign affairs office asserted that the country maintains “warm and cordial” relationships with the United States, emphasizing its status as a significant beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), which bolsters economic growth through preferential trade access. Recent statistics show that the trade volume between Lesotho and the US reached $240 million (£187 million) in 2024, mainly focusing on textiles and clothing exports from Lesotho.

Lesotho’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, found Trump's wording "shocking," particularly as Lesotho hosts a US permanent mission and is recognized in various international organizations. Mr. Mpotjoane emphasized that the relationship with the US is strong despite the President's comments, which he described as "off the cuff."

Officials from Lesotho dismissed Trump's remarks as “political statements” that do not reflect the genuine diplomatic ties the two nations share. Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kutloano Pheko reinforced the positivity of the US-Lesotho relationship, acknowledging the US embassy's presence in Maseru.

Additionally, the current administration's decision to pause aid funding to countries globally has impacted Lesotho, particularly in critical health programs reliant on US aid. The nation had previously benefited from the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), which has now faced funding cuts as part of the Trump administration’s wider cost-reduction strategy. Mpotjoane acknowledged the US's right to modify aid, portraying it as a sovereign prerogative while reaffirming the importance of the existing relationship.