How ANC hopes to stop Trump’s sanctions

THE ANC has expressed its intention to vigorously oppose the Trump administration's attempt to isolate it by imposing sanctions against the party after US lawmakers voted to advance a bill that proposes reviewing the relationship with South Africa.

The US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 was now to be sent to the full House of Representatives, where parliamentarians will vote for it. However many bills at this stage never go to a vote, reports Reuters.

The committee's approval took the bill a step further and underscored tensions between Washington and Pretoria as South Africa seeks to fend off a looming 30% U.S. tariff and counter President Donald Trump’s false claims of white "genocide".

The bill was introduced by US Congressman Ronny Jackson to punish ANC leaders for supporting America’s enemies, such as China, Russia, and Iran.

“South Africa has brazenly abandoned its relationship with the United States to align with China, Russia, Iran, and terrorist organisations, a betrayal that demands serious consequences,” Daily Investor quoted Jackson.

In the Bill, Jackson claims that the South African government’s foreign policy actions have long ceased to reflect its stated stance of nonalignment, and now directly favour China, the Russian Federation, and Hamas, a known proxy of Iran, and thereby undermine US national security and foreign policy interests.

Certain ANC leaders, who are predicted to be the target of the bill, have been accused of mismanaging South Africa’s state resources, which led to the poor performance of state-owned entities such as Eskom, resulting in load shedding, and Transnet’s failure to operate train transport.

President Cyril Ramaphosa could be among the first leaders to be impacted by the sanctions for publicly accusing the Israeli government of committing genocide against residents of Gaza on October 14, 2023.

The ANC is now pinning its hope on the Democrats, who opposed the apartheid government, to protect its leaders, including Ramaphosa.

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said: “There are many Democrats, including those who were part of the anti-apartheid movements, who will stand up to caution Americans against supporting a president (Trump) who wants to censor and undermine the sovereignty of other nations.”

Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC would vigorously oppose an attempt to isolate it from the rest of the nation by reimposing sanctions against it.

“Remember, we come from a history where sanctions were imposed against the apartheid system.

“But also the ANC was isolated by some of those countries that were working closely with the apartheid government, including the United States,” she said.

Weighing on the matter, Good Party secretary general Brett Herron said that the passing of the Bill was another blow to the country’s hopes to be able to undo punitive trade tariffs set for introduction by the US next week. “The US and SA are sovereign nations led by politicians with a mandate from their citizens. The US is an important trading partner, with more than enough economic muscle to hurt South Africa - an important consideration.

“SA’s options, in response, are to back down or double down on its values. Backing down would be a poor choice. The first move the President should make is to appoint a trusted ambassador skilled in diplomacy. As stated last week, a briefing from the SA President on developments in the relationship with the US is overdue.”

Cape Times