South Africa must seek new alliances amid Trump's unilateralism, says political analyst

Respected political analyst Prof. Steven Friedman asserts that South Africa has limited options to avoid being targeted by the United States, which is currently embroiled in disputes with various nations worldwide

In the latest salvo directed at South Africa, IOL reported on Thursday that US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio has lambasted Pretoria on social media platform X, accusing Pretoria of "doing very bad things".

Rubio has also announced that in protest of this move, he will not attend the upcoming G20 meeting set to be held in South Africa.

South Africa, which occupies the G20 presidency, is set to host the G20 summit in Johannesburg on February 20-21.

Rubio wrote on social media platform X: “I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property".

He added: “Using G20 to promote ‘solidarity, equality, & sustainability.’ In other words: DEI and climate change. My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism".

DEI which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion has been heavily criticised by United States President Donald Trump.

Commenting on the political developments, Friedman told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that one should note that Washington is not only squabbling with South Africa, but the Trump administration has picked fights in different parts of the world.

“On one level, there is nothing we can do. If you look at Rubio’s statement, very interesting. It is not only South Africa they have a problem with. It is the G-20 they have a problem with, they do not like alliances, they don’t like partnerships. It is why they pick fights with Canada, and Denmark and they are about to pick a fight with European Union.

“It is because Trump and the people around him are what are called unilateralists. They believe that America should run the world. They believe America should tell everybody what to do and they also do not want certain meetings with Europeans, also Americans and Africans. You are dealing with some very hard-wired attitudes here.”

The academic said when people insist that South Africa must do what it can to get into the “good books” of Washington, that is not a viable strategy.

“What you have to do is – keep the concession going so that you can try to minimise the damage. Try to play the political game in the US, because that is something that might at least keep some of the sources flowing but most importantly, we have to come up with alternative strategies. Where else do we find allies, do we find resources,” he said.

“I think that might be a lot easier than a lot of people think. He (Trump) is not only alienating the usual suspects, he is alienating the European Union. Maybe there are discussions South Africa needs to be having with the European Union.”

In a brief, measured response, Lamola highlighted that South Africa is a sovereign and democratic nation and there is no no arbitrary dispossession of land in the country.

“We are a sovereign and democratic country committed to human dignity, equality, and rights, championing non-racialism and non-sexism while placing our constitution and the rule of law at the forefront," said Lamola.

"There is no arbitrary dispossession of land/private property. This law (Expropriation Act) is similar to the eminent domain laws.

"Solidarity/Ubuntu promotes collective problem-solving. Our G20 presidency is not confined to just climate change but also equitable treatment for nations of the Global South, ensuring an equal global system for all. These are important principles that we remain open to pursue and engage the United States on," he said.

On Monday, IOL reported that South Africa and United States relations took a turn after Trump insisted in a Fox News interview shared online, that he would be unleashing an investigation on South Africa’s land expropriation.

In the interview, Trump was asked if he was planning to cut aid to different African nations.

He responded: “No. It’s only South Africa, terrible things are happening in South Africa, the leadership is doing some terrible things, horrible things ... so that's under investigation right now, we're making determinations and until such time as we find out what South Africa is doing.

“They are taking away land, they are confiscating land and actually they are doing things that are perhaps far worse than that."

On his Truth Social app, Trump also wrote that "South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY …”

“I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!" Trump wrote.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL