Lindsay Dentlinger18 March 2025 | 12:39

Trump administration's actions against SA intended to encourage change - US State Dept

The State Department has singled out alleged unjust expropriation, government’s genocide case against Israel and an alleged nuclear collaboration with Iran as among the matters it finds problematic.

Trump administration's actions against SA intended to encourage change - US State Dept

US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce speaks about the Ukraine crisis, Middle East situations, and other issues during her first press briefing in Washington DC, USA, on 17 March 2025. Picture: Lenin Nolly / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP

CAPE TOWN - The United States said its posture towards South Africa was not just about demeanor or decorum.
 
Rather, it believes the country is taking decisions that are not in America's best interests nor that of the world.
 
The State Department has singled out alleged unjust expropriation, government’s genocide case against Israel and an alleged nuclear collaboration with Iran as among the matters it finds problematic.

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Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the US State Department, said its current review of its South African policy had been prompted by the country’s growing relationship with Russia and Iran.
 
"They have taken also, the South African government, aggressive positions toward the United States and its allies, including accusing Israel, not Hamas, of genocide in the International Court of Justice, and reinvigorating its relationship with Iran to develop commercial, military, and nuclear arrangements."
 
Bruce said the actions taken by the Trump administration against South Africa were intended to encourage change.
 
"It's not to punish or to target people or countries. It's the nature of changing policy and creating better environments for all of us."
 
She said that Rasool failed to accord the US the necessary respect as a diplomat meant to foster better relationships and his remarks about Trump's administration were both unacceptable and obscene.