Trump Plans to Cut South Africa Aid Over Land Law.
Donald Trump says he will end U.S. funding to South Africa, citing concerns about land seizures and unfair treatment of certain groups.
The dispute follows South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's approval of a law allowing land seizures without payment in specific cases. Most private farms belonged to white owners 30 years after apartheid ended.
"South Africa's leadership does terrible things," Trump told reporters. On Truth Social, he announced that aid would stop until officials investigated the situation.
Ramaphosa defended his country on X. "South Africa respects the rule of law. We have not taken any land," he wrote. He noted U.S. aid mainly supports HIV/AIDS programs through Pepfar, making up 17% of that funding.
U.S. records show South Africa received $440 million in assistance last year. Trump adviser Elon Musk, born in South Africa, claimed the law discriminates against white people.
The new rules permit unpaid land seizures when "just and equitable." This applies to unused property or land that poses public risks. South Africa's painful history shapes the debate. In 1913, colonial laws stripped property rights from black citizens.
Recent data reveals white owners hold 72% of private farmland, though they make up only 7.3% of the population. Critics fear economic damage like Zimbabwe faced after similar reforms.
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe suggested blocking U.S. access to South African minerals in response. The country exports platinum, iron, and manganese to America.
AfriForum, representing white Afrikaners, wants stronger property protections but opposes Trump's funding cuts. The group prefers targeted measures against ruling party leaders instead.
This marks Trump's second clash with South Africa over land issues. During his first term, he ordered an investigation into farm seizures and violence against farmers. South African officials called those claims false.
Donald Trump says he will end U.S. funding to South Africa, citing concerns about land seizures and unfair treatment of certain groups.
The dispute follows South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's approval of a law allowing land seizures without payment in specific cases. Most private farms belonged to white owners 30 years after apartheid ended.
"South Africa's leadership does terrible things," Trump told reporters. On Truth Social, he announced that aid would stop until officials investigated the situation.
Ramaphosa defended his country on X. "South Africa respects the rule of law. We have not taken any land," he wrote. He noted U.S. aid mainly supports HIV/AIDS programs through Pepfar, making up 17% of that funding.
U.S. records show South Africa received $440 million in assistance last year. Trump adviser Elon Musk, born in South Africa, claimed the law discriminates against white people.
The new rules permit unpaid land seizures when "just and equitable." This applies to unused property or land that poses public risks. South Africa's painful history shapes the debate. In 1913, colonial laws stripped property rights from black citizens.
Recent data reveals white owners hold 72% of private farmland, though they make up only 7.3% of the population. Critics fear economic damage like Zimbabwe faced after similar reforms.
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe suggested blocking U.S. access to South African minerals in response. The country exports platinum, iron, and manganese to America.
AfriForum, representing white Afrikaners, wants stronger property protections but opposes Trump's funding cuts. The group prefers targeted measures against ruling party leaders instead.
This marks Trump's second clash with South Africa over land issues. During his first term, he ordered an investigation into farm seizures and violence against farmers. South African officials called those claims false.
