U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order halting U.S. financial aid to South Africa, citing alleged human rights violations and foreign policy concerns. The decision follows South Africa’s enactment of Expropriation Act 13 of 2024, which Trump claims enables the seizure of agricultural property from ethnic Afrikaners without compensation.

In his statement, Trump accused the South African government of undermining equal opportunity in employment, education, and business, while also alleging that the country’s policies have fueled racial violence against landowners. Additionally, he cited South Africa’s legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and its strengthening ties with Iran as reasons for his decision, stating that these actions pose a national security threat to the U.S. and its allies.

Under the new directive, the U.S. government will:

• Cease all foreign aid to South Africa, unless deemed necessary by the relevant agencies.
• Prioritize resettlement for Afrikaner refugees in the U.S. under the Refugee Admissions Program.
• Require the Secretary of State and Homeland Security to develop a humanitarian relief plan for affected Afrikaners.

Trump’s executive order has already sparked controversy, with South African officials rejecting the allegations. The South African government has previously emphasized that its land reform policies comply with constitutional and legal frameworks and are designed to address historical land inequalities.

As diplomatic tensions rise, the move is expected to impact U.S.-South Africa relations, with potential economic and geopolitical consequences. The Biden administration has yet to respond to Trump’s order, and analysts predict that South Africa may seek closer ties with China, Russia, and other BRICS nations in response to Washington’s decision.