South Africa accuses Trump of advancing ‘White supremacy agenda’ as diplomatic rift deepens
South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has sharply escalated tensions with Washington, accusing U.S. President Donald Trump of pursuing a “white supremacy agenda.”
Speaking to CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan about the tense May meeting between South African and U.S. officials in the Oval Office, Lamola described the interaction as “excruciatingly difficult.”
“It was excruciatingly difficult [to see] that there’s fearmongering to pursue the agenda of white supremacy,” Lamola said. When asked directly whether Trump is advancing a white supremacist agenda, he replied, “Yes, I think so. With the programme to take white Afrikaners from South Africa, it’s a clear programme to back up the issue of white supremacy.”
He added that white South Africans do not meet the refugee criteria under the Geneva Convention.
The White House rejected the claims, insisting Trump is addressing the refugee issue with “a humanitarian heart.”
Growing Diplomatic Strain Ahead of G20 Summit
Tensions have intensified ahead of the first G20 summit to be hosted on African soil, after Trump announced that no American officials would attend the Johannesburg gathering on 22–23 November.
Calling the summit a “total disgrace” on Truth Social, Trump cited alleged human rights abuses in South Africa and vowed that the U.S. would “sit this one out entirely.” The move marks the first-ever U.S. boycott of a G20 meeting.
Trump further argued South Africa “shouldn’t even be in the Gs anymore.”
DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri dismissed Trump’s remarks, saying South Africa’s historical journey from racial division to democracy positions it to champion global solidarity and bridge inequalities within the G20.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa described the U.S. boycott as “their loss,” adding that the G20 presidency would be symbolically handed over to “an empty chair” reserved for the United States. He urged Washington to reconsider what he called an increasingly isolationist stance.
Deteriorating Relations During Trump’s Second Term
Relations have worsened throughout 2025. In early 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14204 condemning South Africa’s Expropriation Bill as discriminatory toward white landowners—a revival of controversies from his first term, when he ordered an investigation into alleged killings of white farmers.
Fact-checkers, including Africa Check, have found such claims exaggerated, noting farm attacks affect all racial groups.
In February, Trump issued another order fast-tracking refugee status for white Afrikaner farmers, saying they faced “genocide.” Pretoria dismissed the claims as “misinformed and inflammatory.”
Trump has since slashed the U.S. refugee admission cap to 7,500 for fiscal year 2026, down from an earlier 125,000, and reduced USAID funding—including critical PEPFAR HIV programmes.
Geopolitical Fallout
Strains have also emerged over foreign policy. South Africa’s 2023 International Court of Justice genocide case against Israel has drawn backlash from U.S. lawmakers.
In July, Congress passed the U.S.–South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, targeting senior ANC figures over alleged antisemitism and ties to Russia and Iran.
South Africa’s non-aligned stance on the Russia-Ukraine war and its strengthening BRICS ties—particularly with China—have further alienated Washington. The U.S. has repeatedly threatened to remove Pretoria from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), putting billions in trade at risk.
Ramaphosa maintains he is still working toward a “meaningful deal” on trade and diplomatic cooperation, stressing that the partnership is essential for long-term progress.
Pretoria says the U.S.–South Africa relationship is “not merely transactional” and that it remains committed to diplomatic engagement to stabilise ties.
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