'There is a significant problem': DA returns from US mission to de-escalate tensions

CapeTalk's John Maytham speaks to Emma Louise Powell, a Member of Parliament and the Democratic Alliance's (DA) Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation.

Listen below:

The DA says its recent trip to the United States (US) aimed to ensure leaders received 'accurate and fact-based information' regarding South Africa’s domestic landscape.

It's after Afriforum denied it was feeding misinformation to President Donald Trump's administration.

Trump said last month that 'very bad things are happening against a certain group of people' in South Africa. 

He then offered white Afrikaners refuge in the US due to the persecution he believed they were enduring. 

Tensions between South Africa and the US have been particularly strained since Trump returned to power.

"The DA believes, as the second-largest party in the GNU, that it was necessary to head to Washington on an urgent basis in order to try and de-escalate and stabilise this period of heightened tensions."

- Emma Louise Powell, Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation - DA

The DA's visit coincided with a delegation from Afriforum and Solidarity arriving in the US for meetings with senior representatives of the Trump administration in the White House 

The lobby groups claimed the purpose of their visit was to 'fight for the interests of Afrikaners and South Africa'.

Powell says the DA's delegation also met with senior leaders.

"Our delegation met with decision-makers at senior level, both Republican and Democrat, [including] the chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee... At Congress, we were able to meet with some of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's advisors."

- Emma Louise Powell, Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation - DA

Powell says the US reiterated its concerns about South Africa's foreign policy and the Expropriation Act of 2025.

"They are concerned about the plight of farmers in South Africa. There are concerns about sentiments coming out of the radical left in terms of various struggle songs. They are concerned about South Africa's approach at the ICJ."

- Emma Louise Powell, Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation - DA

Powell says it is clear there is 'a significant problem' in terms of relations between South Africa and the US.

"What we are most concerned about is the significant trade that South Africa does with the United States under AGOA."

- Emma Louise Powell, Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation - DA

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