Donald Trump Reportedly Cut Off All Aid To South Africa

Reports indicate that Donald Trump, as President, has cut off significant aid to South Africa. This action, implemented through an executive order in February 2025, has drawn considerable attention and concern.

The primary reasons cited for the aid cuts include:

● South Africa’s land expropriation policy: The US administration has expressed strong disapproval of South Africa’s new law regarding land expropriation without compensation, arguing it targets ethnic minority Afrikaners and constitutes human rights violations.
● South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ): The US has criticized South Africa’s move to bring a genocide case against Israel at the ICJ.
● South Africa’s efforts to reinvigorate relations with Iran.

The cuts have had a significant impact, particularly on South Africa’s health sector. Over $430 million in annual funding for HIV treatment and prevention, much of which came through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and USAID, has been terminated. This has led to the closure of specialized HIV clinics, the loss of thousands of health worker jobs, and concerns about a potential surge in new HIV infections.

South Africa has stated that its budget cannot cover the shortfall caused by these deep cuts in foreign aid. The situation has strained US-South Africa relations and sparked debate about the implications for South Africa’s development and public health.