President Donald Trump has taken a dramatic stance against South Africa, pushing U.S.-South Africa relations to their lowest point in decades. The headline-making twist? The United States is now considering slapping targeted sanctions on top South African political figures — a serious diplomatic escalation not seen since the apartheid era.
According to American media outlets, Washington is weighing the sanctions in response to mounting frustration over South Africa’s foreign policy direction and persistent allegations of corruption among its political elite. The Biden administration had previously flagged concern over Pretoria’s cozying up to geopolitical heavyweights like Russia, China, and Iran — a trend that’s clearly intensified under President Trump’s second term.
Things took a sharp turn in February 2025, when Trump signed an executive order to suspend all aid to South Africa. Citing controversial land reform laws and what he called “troubling support” for U.S. adversaries, the order marked a turning point in the increasingly tense bilateral relationship.
The diplomatic fallout continued in March, when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio officially declared South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool persona non grata following the ambassador’s scathing public remarks about American foreign policy. The expulsion drew international attention and fueled speculation about a looming diplomatic freeze.
Now, April brings yet another blow: Congressman Ronny Jackson has introduced the U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 — a game-changing bill that could reshape the entire foundation of Washington’s relationship with Pretoria. If passed, the legislation would authorize a full-scale review of all diplomatic ties, impose travel bans, and freeze assets of officials suspected of corruption or human rights violations.
Even more critically, the bill demands a formal reassessment of South Africa’s strategic alliances — a clear signal that Washington is no longer willing to turn a blind eye to Pretoria’s shifting loyalties on the world stage.
Experts say this could have wide-reaching consequences for trade, foreign aid, and regional cooperation. With the threat of sanctions now hanging over its leadership, South Africa may be forced to reconsider its global posture under intense U.S. pressure. So far, Pretoria has remained silent — but the clock is ticking.
