Trump does not like South Africa and her policies and may skip the upcoming G20 leaders' summit in the African nation in November. Explaining the rationale, Trump told reporters it is because South Africa has some “very, very bad policies” which has led to “a lot of people being killed”.
US-South Africa relations are at an all-time low. But skipping the opportunity to meet several of the biggest world leaders in one place, given the fragile global landscape, is alarming, and speaks volumes about Trump’s petulance.
Because Trump’s problems with South Africa range from the imaginary to those that are downright cruel. The US President has taken issue with many of South Africa’s domestic and foreign policies and has used political and economic tools to hurt her.
In February, Trump signed an executive order to cut US financial assistance to South Africa. Aid that was critical to the nation’s fight against HIV/AIDS.
For context - South Africa is said to have nearly 8 million living with HIV/AIDS, the highest figure in the world.
The aid was denied on the false grounds that the black-majority South African government is responsible for the “genocide” of white farmers, commonly known as Afrikaners, and then usurping their lands.
Not content with those actions, Trump then infamously ambushed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the White House in May, with a video and several articles that he claims proved his “white genocide” theory.
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Remember, Ramaphosa had made the trip to the White House to “reset” ties between the two nations.
Trump also strongly objected to South Africa’s genocide case against its ally, Israel, at the ICJ. A case that led to a landmark emergency ruling that ordered Israel to immediately halt its military assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Additionally, the ICJ had also ordered Israel to open the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza to allow in humanitarian aid.
South Africa is also one of the several nations to have been hit by Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. Tariffs of up to 30% are set to come into effect on August 1st.
South Africa has tried for months to persuade the Trump administration to lower the tariff rate, or at least exempt key industries. An attempt to avoid tens of thousands of potential job losses.
But Ramaphosa’s administration has struggled to make headway even as others like Japan and the European Union have managed to strike deals.
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The G20 summit in November is one that comes amidst a backdrop of major geopolitical turmoil. It comes just five years before the deadline of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda with the climate change crisis at its core.
According to the official G20 website - members of the Group of 20 include the world's major economies, representing 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world's population.
Ramaphosa has often spoken about how proud he is of South Africa’s G20 Presidency. Having the opportunity to be the catalyst for global change can do that to you. But Trump’s increasingly isolationist and protectionist attitude is threatening to ruin it for everyone.
