US Legislators Ramp Up Pressure on South Africa Over Foreign Policy

US lawmakers are ramping up their examination of South Africa’s foreign policy strategies.

A bill aimed at reassessing US bilateral relations with Pretoria passed through the Foreign Affairs Committee in the US Congress on Monday, with minimal changes, setting the stage for potential debate and voting.

Proposed by Texas Republican Congressman Ronny Jackson in April, the bill claims that South Africa has distanced itself from its ties with the US, instead aligning with China, Russia, Iran, and various terrorist organizations. It calls for “serious consequences” and mentions the possibility of sanctions against unnamed “corrupt officials.”

The motion to bring the bill to the House of Representatives passed with 34 votes in favor and 16 against, including support from eight Democrats.

Despite this progress, there remains uncertainty regarding Congress’s ultimate approval of the proposed legislation. A similar bill — H.R. 7256 — was introduced by Republican lawmakers in February 2024 and reported to the House in May, but it did not advance to a vote.

While immediate actions against South Africa are improbable from this bill, it highlights the escalating tensions in US-South Africa relations under President Donald Trump. Its advancement comes as Pretoria seeks to negotiate a trade deal with the US—its second-largest trading partner—to prevent a 30% reciprocal tariff on exports.

Relations were strained even before Trump’s inauguration in January and worsened with his unfounded claims that the South African government was committing genocide against White farmers. This prompted the administration to permit Afrikaner minority members to seek refugee status and led to the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador.

High-ranking US officials have missed Group of 20 meetings in South Africa. In May, Trump publicly criticized South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a televised meeting at the White House, reiterating allegations of genocide.

Since Trump’s administration began, the rand has appreciated by 6.9% against the dollar, and yields on South Africa’s US dollar-denominated debt due in 2030 have decreased by around 80 basis points.

Trump administration officials have also critiqued Pretoria’s position on its genocide claim against Israel—a key US ally—at the International Court of Justice.

Other legislative measures from US lawmakers targeting South Africa include a bill introduced in June by Florida House Republican Greg Steube, which addresses “hostile and antisemitic conduct” from the nation.

Texas GOP Representative Troy Nehls also introduced a bill in April that would offer priority-2 refugee status to South African residents who are “members of the Afrikaner ethnic minority group that have faced persecution, or have a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, ethnicity, or ancestry.”

Priority-2 status designates groups recognized as having particular humanitarian concern under the US refugee program, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

In a broader context, a bipartisan Senate bill put forth in June by Delaware Democrat Chris Coons argues that US “adversaries” are collaborating in multilateral organizations like the United Nations and BRICS—of which South Africa is a member—to “isolate and undermine” American influence. This legislation would require Washington to develop a strategy to counter the growing cooperation among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

South Africa has consistently maintained that it adopts a non-aligned position in international relations.

© 2025 Bloomberg

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