US-SA Rift May Be Crossroad

Relations between Pretoria and Washington have once again plunged into a new historic low following a series of moves by US President Donald Trump.

- Mandla Mthembu

In a single sweep, Washington has imposed punitive 30% tariffs on South African steel, citrus and automotive exports. These duties take effect from tomorrow after the US failed to respond to South Africa's trade proposals.

The tariff blow has escalated diplomatic tension, with the US expressing disdain for South Africa's broad-based black economic empowerment and land reform policies.

In addition, Trump announced a boycott of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November and there has been an intensified criticism of Pretoria's legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing the country of "supporting genocide denial".

At the heart of this diplomatic crisis, it must be admitted that US reaction is motivated by South Africa's growing leadership within the Brics bloc—now expanded to include Iran, Ethiopia and Egypt—and its outspoken support for Palestine, including its ICJ case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

These positions have drawn fierce condemnation from the Trump administration and triggered a dramatic shift in US policy toward Pretoria.