US President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that “certain classes of people” in South Africa were being treated “very badly” and announced that he would cut off US funding to the country until the issue is investigated. Trump did not clarify what specifically prompted this statement. The South African embassy in Washington has not responded yet.
In 2023, the United States committed nearly $440 million in assistance to South Africa, according to the most recent US government data. South Africa currently holds the G20 presidency, with the US set to take over next.
Earlier, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence in the nation’s relationship with Trump, noting that he had spoken to Trump after his election win and looked forward to working with his administration.
During his first term, Trump had also discussed investigating unverified claims of large-scale killings of white farmers in South Africa, with Pretoria at the time stating that Trump was misinformed.
It remains unclear whether an investigation was conducted. Trump’s close ally, Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa, has also voiced concerns, commenting on a video of a far-left political party in South Africa singing an anti-apartheid song and accusing them of inciting violence against white people.
President Donald Trump signed executive orders on Saturday imposing tariffs on imports from Canada, China, and Mexico. The new measures include a 25% tariff on goods from both Canada and Mexico, with a 10% tariff specifically targeting Canadian energy resources. Additionally, a 10% tariff has been placed on imports from China.
The tariffs are set to take effect on Tuesday, though Trump’s orders do not specify when, or if, the tariffs will be lifted in the future. There are no exceptions granted for any particular industries. Economists have predicted that these tariffs will likely result in higher costs for U.S. consumers, leading to potential financial strain.
(With Reuters Inputs)