Donald Trump to cut off all future U.S. funding to South Africa
On February 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to cut off all future funding to South Africa, citing concerns over the country’s land reform policies and alleged human rights violations. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY,” labeling the situation a “massive Human Rights VIOLATION” and asserting that the United States would not tolerate such actions until a full investigation is conducted.
The announcement follows South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of a controversial land expropriation bill that allows for the seizure of land without compensation in cases deemed to be in the public interest. This policy has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Trump, who has previously expressed concerns about potential parallels to Zimbabwe’s land seizures in the 1980s, which led to significant economic decline. Critics argue that the law could exacerbate racial tensions and lead to further instability in the country.
In 2023, the U.S. provided approximately $440 million in aid to South Africa, covering areas such as health programs and economic development. Trump’s funding freeze reflects his broader “America First” foreign policy approach, which has included reducing aid to several nations while prioritizing domestic issues. Despite this move, Ramaphosa has expressed confidence in maintaining a working relationship with Trump’s administration.
