Trump Suspends US Aid to South Africa Over Land Expropriation Law
Trump has suspended U.S. aid to South Africa in response to a new law permitting land expropriation without compensation, prompting concerns about racial tensions and international relations.
President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he is suspending all U.S. aid to South Africa following the country's passage of a law regarding land expropriation. This law raises concerns about potential Zimbabwe-style seizures of land owned by white citizens.
The president's unexpected announcement was made on Truth Social, his own social media platform, during the evening.
In 2023, South Africa received $273 million from the U.S., as reported by ForeignAssistance.gov. This funding includes money for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and is linked to key trade agreements with the United States.
The land expropriation issue in South Africa has been contentious for decades, stemming from historical inequalities where land is predominantly owned by the white minority due to the legacies of colonialism and apartheid. However, the country has been cautious about adopting practices similar to Zimbabwe, which in 2000 faced severe consequences after seizing land from white farmers, leading to widespread starvation.
Currently, South Africa operates under laws that allow for government-initiated land seizures, akin to eminent domain, though the preferred practice is to negotiate sales at fair market prices.
Despite this, radical black nationalist and communist factions continue to press for the government to confiscate land from white farmers. Interestingly, while there is limited interest among black South Africans in agriculture, the subject remains highly charged.
The newly enacted Expropriation Act permits the government to confiscate private land for "public purpose" without compensating the landowners. Opposition parties have voiced objections against this legislation.
Of note is the fact that the opposition, part of the national unity government, holds control over the agriculture ministry, which will administer the new expropriation law. As a result, the application of this law is not anticipated in the immediate future, though it poses risks of fracturing the governing coalition, particularly under Trump's influence.
Many white South Africans perceive the elevated levels of rural crime, including attacks against white farmers, as politically motivated. Trump has previously voiced his concerns regarding this issue.
Furthermore, South Africa's stance on global matters is perceived as contrary to U.S. interests, as the country forms alliances with rival powers like China and Russia, while also supporting Palestinian movements against Israel in international debates.
