CAPE TOWN - Last week, US President Donald Trump took to social media to criticise South Africa's land policy.
On Tuesday, parliamentarians debated President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address (SONA) and discussed a response to the tension with the United States.
ANC Chief Whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli, has used the debate to take a swipe at the party's detractors and says this includes those further afield.
Ntuli says the ANC supports Ramaphosa's plans for government to meet with officials from the White House to clear the air.
EFF leader, Julius Malema, believes the Trump administration's decision to cut aid to South Africa has nothing to do with the Expropriation Act.
During the debate in the national assembly, Malema said the country is being punished for the case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
“We are not cowards, and they must not try us,” said EFF leader Julius Malema, echoing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s stance that South Africa will not be intimidated. In his State of the Nation Address last week, Ramaphosa reaffirmed that the country will stand firm in defending… pic.twitter.com/PsCXEJ0J9j
— eNCA (@eNCA) February 11, 2025
An executive order signed by Trump offered refugee status to Afrikaner farmers and their families in the United States.
Trump also signed another executive order cutting financial assistance to South Africa.
The most recent US data shows that in 2023, the US allocated nearly $440 million or over R8bn in assistance to South Africa.
The government has criticised the executive order, contending that it is based on misinformation and distortions.
WATCH: Discussion | Solidarity, Afriforum's blame President for Trump order
South Africa's ambassador to the USA, Ebrahim Rasool claims US President, Donald Trump, is using the land grabs claims against South Africa as an excuse to attack the country for reasons known to him.
He says contrary to other people saying Trump is being misinformed, he's very much aware of what he's doing and why.
Rasool says the fact that Trump's executive order came after Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the US, raises questions.
The Afrikaner Leaders Network's Theuns Eloff stated that US President Donald Trump is misinformed.
The US is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners, with exports to the US totaling R156.7 billion in 2024 and imports at just over R120 billion.
Key trade sectors include mineral products, chemicals, and vehicles, supporting tens of thousands of jobs.
However, this… pic.twitter.com/qVjIn9Ueqh— Songezo Zibi (@SongezoZibi) February 11, 2025
"A strategic and measured response is crucial amid uncertainty in the US administration." said SCOPA chairperson and Rise Mzansi leader, Songezo Zibi.
WATCH: Discussion | South Africa and other eligible states remain on 2025 AGOA list
He emphasised the importance of the AGOA trade deal to key trade sectors.
The list of eligible and ineligible countries for AGOA will remain unchanged for 2025 according to United States Trade Representative Sam Michel.