Trump halts aid to South Africa over discrimination against whites

President Donald Trump has implemented his threat to stop aid to South Africa over a land confiscation law that targets farms owned by the white minority.

Prior to signing his executive order freezing aid, Trump condemned South Africa for “confiscating land” and for treating “certain classes of People…very badly,” alluding to discrimination against whites in the country.

“It is the policy of the United States that, as long as South Africa continues these unjust and immoral practices that harm our Nation, the United States shall not provide aid or assistance to South Africa; and the United States shall promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation,” read the order.

South Africa’s President denied the law was about confiscating land. His foreign minister said the executive order was of “concern” saying it failed to recognize South Africa’s history of apartheid.

The US allocated about $440m (£358m) in assistance to South Africa in 2023, according to US government data.