Trump's order specifically criticizes the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024, which allows the South African government to take private land without compensation in certain cases.
The order states, 'It is in shocking disregard of its citizens' rights that the Republic of South Africa recently enacted a law that enables the government to seize land owned by ethnic minority Afrikaners without compensation.'
The U.S. government announced that it will stop providing aid to South Africa and will offer refugee status to White Afrikaners who want to leave the country due to alleged racial discrimination.
'The United States will promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination,' the order emphasized.
Beyond the land law, Trump's administration also accuses South Africa of taking positions that go against U.S. interests, such as supporting Palestine in the International Court of Justice and strengthening its relationship with Iran.
The order states that South Africa's actions 'undermine U.S. foreign policy and pose national security threats to 'our' nation and allies.
The South African government responded on Saturday, strongly rejecting the claims. Chrispin Phiri, a spokesperson for the International Relations Department, called the executive order misleading and lacking factual accuracy.
'It is disappointing to see such misinformation being spread about our country,' he posted on X. The ruling African National Congress (ANC), which leads South Africa's government, also reacted to Trump's offer of refugee status for Afrikaners.
The party's secretary general posted an image online showing a Black man standing at an open door, appearing to gesture Afrikaners to leave the country.
The South African government insists that land reform is necessary to address historic inequalities. It argues that White South Africans, not just Afrikaners, still own about 70% of the country's land.
Officials say the law is not meant to target any race but will be used only when land is needed for public projects, such as schools, and that owners will receive 'fair and equitable compensation.'
Emma Powell, a spokesperson for the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), criticized the government's approach. She told the media, 'For decades, the DA has opposed the ANC's race-based policies. These policies have only benefited the political elite while most South Africans remain in poverty.'
Powell added that her party plans to take legal action to protect property rights and will send representatives to Washington, D.C., to discuss the issue with U.S. officials. 'It is time for the ANC to rethink both its domestic and foreign policies, which are hurting our country,' she said.
The executive order has been welcomed by some Afrikaner groups. AfriForum, a civil rights organization representing many Afrikaners, said it was grateful for Trump's intervention.
'This is a direct response to President Cyril Ramaphosa's irresponsible actions,' the group said in a statement. However, AfriForum insisted that Afrikaners still have a future in South Africa and called for solutions to protect their rights.
Not everyone in South Africa is concerned about Trump's move. Julius Malema, firebrand leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), dismissed the order and called for even stronger ties with countries like Russia and China.
'Given the U.S. aggression against South Africa, we should strengthen our alliances with BRICS nations to avoid unnecessary confrontations with maniacs like Donald Trump,' Malema wrote on X.
Malema has been a controversial figure, having faced hate speech charges for singing an anti-apartheid struggle song with lyrics calling for violence against White farmers.
The dispute between Trump and South Africa adds another layer of tension between the two nations, raising questions about the future of their diplomatic and economic relationship.
IGIHE
