South Africa Confident of Better Economic Relations with US Despite Diplomatic Tensions

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The South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) is leading efforts to review the range of tradable goods and identify newer areas for economic collaboration. 

Notwithstanding brewing diplomatic tensions, South Africa has been engaging with the Trump administration to enhance its trade relationship with the United States. The South African Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) is leading efforts to review the range of tradable goods and identify newer areas for economic collaboration.

The diplomatic tension escalated earlier this week when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, persona non grata, citing accusations of “race-baiting” and criticism of President Donald Trump. Rasool was given until Friday to leave the U.S.

This move follows Trump’s executive order in February, which cut U.S. funding to South Africa, citing “government actions felling disproportionate violence against racially disfavored landowners.” The order specifically referenced Afrikaners, the white minority group descended from Dutch and French colonial settlers.

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South African diplomatic circles say that the absence of an ambassador in Washington does not mean the absence of engagements with the Trump administration. Diplomatic discussions could remain active through other channels, the diplomatic sources revealed.