The US State Department has ordered an immediate pause on most foreign aid to South Africa. President Trump signed Executive Order 14204.
A cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio directs all State Department offices to suspend aid payments, with minimal exceptions. The order cites “unjust racial discrimination” against white Afrikaners as a key reason for the move.
The freeze applies to nearly all assistance programs except for the Pepfar HIV/AIDS initiative. This will continue without review. Any other aid programs must receive special approval.
This decision raised tensions between the two nations. This happens after Trump’s criticism of South Africa’s land reform policies and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
The aid suspension also comes as South Africa prepares a new trade proposal, anticipating potential changes to the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which allows duty-free exports to the US.
