The US government has taken aim at leaders of the ANC, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as government officials aligned with nations the US views as enemies, which includes China, Russia, and Iran. The US government has threatened these leaders with sanctions.
On Thursday, Congressman Ronny Jackson introduced the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025, a significant piece of legislation aimed at reassessing the U.S.-South Africa relationship.
The bill proposes a thorough review to identify South African officials and ANC leaders who may face sanctions for allegedly supporting US adversaries.
In a press release, Jackson accused South Africa of undermining US foreign policy, stating, "South Africa has brazenly abandoned its relationship with the United States to align with China, Russia, Iran, and terrorist organisations. This betrayal demands serious consequences."
Jackson emphasised that the legislation seeks to hold corrupt officials accountable while ensuring Congress carries out a comprehensive review of South Africa's role as a supposed ally.
The bill, if passed, could reinforce President Donald Trump’s foreign policy agenda, giving him the authority to impose sanctions on uncooperative or corrupt South African officials. “The era of governments undermining American interests without repercussions ends now,” said Jackson.
Republican John James, who co-sponsored the bill, expressed pride in supporting the legislation. “This bill builds on my bipartisan legislation from the last Congress, which passed the House and supported President Trump’s Executive Order from February 7th addressing egregious actions by the Republic of South Africa.”
Both Jackson and James have criticised the South African government and the ANC for undermining U.S. national security interests, primarily through their alignment with China, Russia and Iran, as well as their anti-Israel stance. They have expressed particular concern over the South African government’s relationship with the Chinese Communist Party, accusing it of violating human rights and using coercive economic tactics that undermine South Africa’s democratic system.
In recent years, South Africa has sought to strengthen ties with nations in the Global South, which the US often views as adversarial. These partnerships challenge US influence and promote alternative global governance structures. Under Trump’s administration, there has been a stronger push to scrutinize South Africa’s international relations and hold officials accountable for collaborating with U.S. adversaries.
It is worth noting that the bill does not name any potential leaders who might be sanctioned if the bill is passed. However, the bill does not explicitly name the ANC as a party that could be on the receiving end of the bill.
This comes on the back of a huge diplomatic fallout between U.S. President Trump and Ramaphosa over the issue of the unproven claims by AfriForum that there is white people are being ill-treated in the country.
Analysts suggest that this US stance reflects a broader strategy to counteract influence from rival powers in critical regions. Dr. Emily Hsu, a geopolitical analyst at the Center for International Relations, said, "The US is looking to reassert its influence where it feels threatened, and South Africa is a key player in that narrative."
However, some experts warn that this approach could exacerbate tensions in U.S.-South Africa relations and among nations in the Global South.
Dr Samuel Kofi, a senior research fellow at the Global Policy Institute, cautioned that such actions could fragment the international landscape and spark a backlash against US hegemony.
“The push for sanctions and aggressive policies could alienate potential allies and drive nations further into the arms of rival powers, complicating U.S. diplomatic efforts,” warned Dr Anita Faraday, an international relations expert.
The Chinese government has condemned the US's move to impose tariffs on its perceived adversaries. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The US has imposed tariffs on all its trading partners under various pretexts, which severely infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries and undermine the global trading system."
Attempts to reach South African government spokesperson Vincent Mangwenya for comment were unsuccessful, as were efforts to contact ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri.
Additional reporting by IOL
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