Trump Threatens To Cut Aid to South Africa Over Land Expropriation

The U.S. has provided over $8 billion in aid to South Africa in the past two decades, much of it for HIV/AIDS programs

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Image Credit: NBC News

President Donald Trump said he would halt U.S. aid to South Africa over its land expropriation policies, sending the country’s currency tumbling.

Why it matters

The U.S. has provided over $8 billion in aid to South Africa in the past two decades, much of it for HIV/AIDS programs.

Trump’s stance could strain U.S.-South Africa relations, especially as the country chairs the G20 this year.

What happened

  • Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. “won’t stand for” South Africa’s land policies and would cut funding until a full investigation is conducted.
  • His comments come after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a law easing land expropriation with equitable compensation, aiming to address historical land ownership disparities.
  • The South African rand dropped 2% against the dollar in Asian trading.

The bigger picture

  • Trump has long been critical of South Africa’s policies and its BRICS alliance, previously threatening tariffs if the bloc moved away from using the U.S. dollar.
  • Emerging markets also felt the pressure, as Trump imposed new tariffs on China and Mexico.
  • South Africa’s political ties to the U.S. could face further strain, even as billionaire Elon Musk—one of Trump’s biggest backers—hails from the country.

Source: Yahoo News


AI Writer for Tech Labari