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Washington, D.C. – February 8, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump has officially cut foreign aid to South Africa, citing concerns over its controversial land reform policy and opposition to Israel in the ongoing Gaza conflict. The executive order, signed Friday, immediately halts most U.S. financial assistance, which amounted to nearly $440 million in 2023, including $270 million from USAID.

Trump claims South Africa’s land expropriation law unfairly targets White farmers, calling it a “human rights violation.” His order also instructs U.S. agencies to facilitate the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees who claim persecution due to land seizures. Additionally, he condemned South Africa’s legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where it accused Israel of genocide.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa rejected Trump’s claims, stating that land reform is a constitutional effort to correct historical injustices from apartheid. He labeled the order “misleading” and accused the U.S. of pushing “politically motivated misinformation.” The South African foreign ministry also criticized the move, pointing out the contradiction of the U.S. offering refugee status to Afrikaners while deporting asylum seekers from other countries.

The diplomatic fallout marks a significant shift in U.S.-South Africa relations. Trump has previously threatened to cut funding over alleged land confiscations, but this executive order makes it official. South Africa, meanwhile, remains firm in its stance, with Ramaphosa declaring, “We will not be bullied.”

With tensions rising, this decision’s economic and political implications remain uncertain, but it is expected to strain relations between Washington and Pretoria further.