Trump stops aid to South Africa because of a disputed land law, saying it discriminates against White farmers.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump signed an order to stop aid to South Africa because of a law that lets the government take land from certain ethnic groups, particularly White farmers, without paying them. The order also reflects South Africa’s position on Israel and the conflict in Gaza.

Trump stated that the U.S. will stop giving foreign aid to South Africa if its policies continue to show a “shocking disregard for its citizens” and violate human rights. He instructed U.S. agencies to halt aid to South Africa unless it is necessary.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that the government is not taking land away from people. He also mentioned that South Africa hopes to work with the Trump administration on its land reform plans.

Trump’s order says that the U.S. will help Afrikaners, a group with European roots, who are leaving South Africa because of abuse. This includes supporting their move to new homes through refugee programs.

“The United States will not help South Africa as long as it keeps its unfair and harmful practices. Instead, the U.S. will support Afrikaner refugees who are fleeing government-sponsored discrimination, including unfair property seizures,” the order stated.

South Africa’s foreign ministry said the order was very concerning and noted that it was not factually correct. They pointed out that it does not acknowledge the country’s difficult history with colonialism and apartheid. They also suggested that the order appears to be part of a campaign to spread false information about South Africa.

“The foreign ministry said on Saturday that it’s ironic the executive order allows refugee status for a group in South Africa that is economically better off, while people in the US from other places facing real hardship are being deported and denied asylum.”

In the past, racist laws made Black and non-White South Africans leave their land so that it could be used by White people. Since South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, its constitution has included rules for land redistribution and compensation.

Unemployment and poverty are serious problems for Black South Africans, who make up about 80% of the population but own only a small amount of land. In January, Ramaphosa signed a new law that provides instructions for taking land. This law allows the government to take land without paying for it in certain situations.

The US Foreign Assistance website states that in 2023, the US plans to give almost $440 million in aid to South Africa. This amount includes over $270 million from the Agency for International Development (USAID).

The executive order comes after the Trump administration has stopped most foreign aid and is working to shut down USAID.

Trump said in his order that South Africa has been hostile towards the United States and its friends because of its stance on Israel and its renewed relationship with Iran.

South Africa has accused Israel of murder in a rare case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is the main court of the United Nations. It stated that Israel’s leaders want to eliminate the Palestinians in Gaza and asked the court to stop Israel’s military actions there.

Trump has said he would stop funding until there is a complete review into claims that “South Africa is taking land and treating some groups unfairly,” but he hasn’t provided any proof.

Ramaphosa also spoke to Trump’s “first buddy” and South African-born Elon Musk earlier this week “on issues of misinformation and distortions about South Africa,” emphasizing South Africa’s constitutionally embedded values of the respect for the rule of law, justice, fairness and equality,” a government statement at the time read.

In his yearly speech about the country, Ramaphosa said that South Africa “will not be stopped.”

“We, as South Africans, are strong and won’t be pushed around,” he said.