South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to engage with U.S. President Donald Trump following reports of Trump’s plans to cut financial aid to South Africa over concerns about land confiscation.
Trump claimed on Sunday, without citing evidence, that “South Africa is confiscating land” and that “certain classes of people” were being treated “very badly.” He stated he would suspend funding until the matter was investigated.
According to Reuters, Ramaphosa has discussed land reforms that do not amount to confiscation but would enable the state to expropriate land in the public interest. In a statement issued by the presidency, Ramaphosa said, “We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters.”
Trump’s remarks, posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, did not directly reference the specific law in question.
The law seeks to address racial disparities in land ownership that persist three decades after the end of apartheid in 1994.
