U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order freezing financial aid to South Africa, citing concerns over the country’s new land law and its legal actions against Israel. The move intensifies tensions between Washington and Pretoria, following Trump’s earlier warning that South Africa’s land policy violates human rights.
Trump’s decision comes in response to South Africa’s recently enacted legislation, which allows for land expropriation without compensation under specific circumstances deemed “just and equitable.” The policy, aimed at addressing historical land ownership inequalities dating back to apartheid, has faced criticism from Trump and his close adviser Elon Musk. Musk, who was born in South Africa, labeled the law as “openly racist ownership laws” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
According to the executive order, the U.S. government “cannot support the government of South Africa’s commission of rights violations in its country.” The document further states that as long as the policy remains in place, the U.S. will withhold aid and assistance. The White House also announced plans to prioritize resettlement for South African farmers and their families, particularly white Afrikaners, through the United States Refugee Admissions Program.
The order also links South Africa’s stance on Israel to the decision, criticizing Pretoria’s role in bringing genocide accusations against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The U.S. government accuses South Africa of adopting “aggressive positions” towards its allies and strengthening ties with Iran in commercial, military, and nuclear sectors.
Trump had initially raised concerns on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, “I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!” In subsequent remarks, he alleged that South African authorities were not only seizing land but engaging in activities “far worse than that.”
Despite the tensions, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended the policy, emphasizing its alignment with constitutional principles of justice and equality. In an effort to ease tensions, Ramaphosa personally called Musk to clarify the country’s position, reiterating that no land had been unlawfully confiscated.
The executive order marks a sharp turn in U.S.-South Africa relations, raising questions about future diplomatic and economic engagements between the two nations. As both sides hold firm on their positions, the impact of Trump’s decision remains to be seen on South Africa’s economy and international standing.
