Donald Trump

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Trump’s Tariff Tango: How South Africa's Land Wars Got Caught in the Twist!

Trump Cyril Ramaphosa - Donald Trump - Expropriation Act - Land Reform - South Africa - Tariffs - Trade War - Trump

Did Trump's outbursts just create a new dance move? Unpacking the tariff tango between the US and South Africa!

U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a bold stance recently, vowing to cut U.S. assistance to South Africa due to the country’s controversial land reform laws. He claims that these measures allow for the unfair confiscation of property and alleges that South African authorities are treating "certain classes of people" indiscriminately. These comments, albeit unsubstantiated, have sparked a fiery discussion on international relations, particularly among South Africans who feel the complexities of their history are being reduced to soundbites on social media.

In South Africa, the government has been engaged in a contentious debate about land expropriation without compensation, a move aimed at addressing past injustices when land was forcibly taken from Black South Africans. The reaction from the government, epitomized by International Relations Chairperson Mr. Supra Mahumapelo's rebuttal, highlights a considerable divide. He emphasized that the historical context of land seizures is key to understanding the current legislation, dismissing Trump’s comments as overly simplistic and detached from facts. It’s akin to someone trying to master the tango without having taken a single lesson – it won't end well.

And while Trump’s tariffs on Canadian and Mexican exports are making waves across North American markets, his comments have led to an alarming slide in global markets, creating ripples of concern for economies worldwide. With new tariffs of 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods, plus a 10% levy on Chinese imports, it seems that Trump's trade tactics are ruffling feathers everywhere, prompting global leaders to reconsider their strategies. Meanwhile, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for calm, urging dialogues that could stabilize U.S.-South African relations.

As the world holds its breath for the next twist in Trump’s tariff saga, it’s worth noting that international trade is a delicate dance, full of nuances and complications much like our favorite dance-offs. Did you know? Almost 60% of South Africa's agricultural exports head to the USA? And in the 2018-2019 financial year, South Africa's economy also experienced a 3.1% contraction, making external relations even more critical. It’s high time we all hone our negotiation skills if we want to stay one step ahead in this global waltz!

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

Trump vows to stop US assistance to South Africa over land law (Financial Times)

The US president claimed recent measures enabled the government to confiscate property unfairly and accused South African authorities of treating “certain ...

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Image courtesy of "Parliament of South Africa"

Media Statement: International Relations Chairperson Welcomes ... (Parliament of South Africa)

Committee Chairperson Mr Supra Mahumapelo said, “President Trump simply assumes that Black South Africans whose land was taken by force, murder, arrests, etc ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Markets slide as Trump's tariff war escalates (BBC News)

Trump ordered tariffs of 25% on exports from Canada and Mexico to the US. Chinese-made goods will face a 10% levy, in addition to existing tariffs. The moves, ...

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Image courtesy of "Sky News"

How Donald Trump's tariffs could impact US consumers and the UK (Sky News)

President Trump has confirmed that Mexican and Canadian goods will be subject to the full 25% tariff - and Chinese imports to 10%.

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Trump to cut off funding for South Africa over expropriation act (Reuters)

WASHINGTON, Feb 2 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday, without citing evidence, that "certain classes of people" in South Africa were ...

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

FirstFT: Trump's trade war rocks global markets (Financial Times)

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Image courtesy of "Business Day"

Ramaphosa moves to calm Trump tantrum (Business Day)

US President Donald Trump has vowed to cut US funding for SA, citing the country's land policies.

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Image courtesy of "Creamer Media's Engineering News"

Ramaphosa responds to Trump's land-confiscation claims, says he ... (Creamer Media's Engineering News)

South Africa's Presidency has issued a swift response to US President Donald Trump's threat that aid could be withdrawn, owing to his view that South ...

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Donald Trump and Mexican president announce one-month pause ... (The Guardian)

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

Donald Trump pauses tariffs on Mexico in eleventh-hour deal (Financial Times)

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Trump tariffs live: Mexico tariffs on hold, Trump calls Canada's Trudeau (Aljazeera.com)

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says US tariffs are on hold for a month after talks with President Donald Trump.

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Trump attack on South Africa exposes divisions over race and land (Reuters)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended his land reform policy on Monday against an attack by Donald Trump that laid bare deep divisions within ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Trump says he agreed to 'immediately pause' anticipated tariffs on ... (CNN)

President Donald Trump said Monday he agreed to “immediately pause” tariffs on Mexico for a month after a “very friendly” conversation with the country's ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

South Africa rejects Trump's accusations over expropriation act (Aljazeera.com)

Last month, South Africa adopted a bill for the state to expropriate land to address racial disparities in land ownership after apartheid.

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Donald Trump: Why are people talking about tariffs? (CBBC Newsround)

US President Donald Trump has announced new taxes, called tariffs, on goods from Mexico, Canada and China. Find out more here.

President Ramaphosa looks forward to engaging with President ... (DIRCO)

South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice and equality. The South African Government has not confiscated ...

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Image courtesy of "CNBC"

Trump pauses tariffs on Canada imports for 30 days after doing the ... (CNBC)

President Donald Trump agreed to pause the implementation of planned tariffs on imports from Canada for at least 30 days, Canadian Prime Minister Justin ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters India"

South African markets slump after Trump suspends US aid (Reuters India)

South Africa's rand, stocks and government bonds slumped on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would suspend aid to the country.

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Image courtesy of "The Associated Press"

President Donald Trump agrees to pause tariffs on Mexico and ... (The Associated Press)

Trump on Saturday had directed that 25% tariffs on most imports from the two American partners — and 10% on Canadian energy products — go into effect at ...

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Trump tariffs live: Mexico, Canada seal deal; China tariffs start ... (Aljazeera.com)

Pause on tariffs offers brief reprieve as Democrats question Elon Musk's role in changes at key government bodies.

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Image courtesy of "Daily Maverick"

Donald Trump, Elon Musk and AfriForum – an unholy trinity pushing ... (Daily Maverick)

US President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and AfriForum have congealed into a trinity aimed at derailing land reform in South Africa.

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How do tariffs actually work? How far will this conflict escalate? Can Europe escape? We answer all your burning questions.

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Is South Africa 'confiscating land', like Donald Trump has alleged ... (The Indian Express)

Donald Trump's claims come a week after South Africa implemented the Expropriation Act. His claims were echoed by Elon Musk, who alleged that the new law ...

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DELIVERING A PLAN TO CREATE A UNITED STATES SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order calling for the creation of.

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Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu to meet in US for talks on ... (Business Day)

Netanyahu will speak to senior Trump aides during his visit and is expected to seek assurances of continued US weapons supplies.

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China's exporters to step up offshoring to beat Donald Trump's tariffs (Financial Times)

Chinese manufacturers say they will speed up efforts to move production to other countries to circumvent US tariffs, after President Donald Trump announced ...

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Image courtesy of "Sky News"

Donald Trump's tariffs: What's going on and what does it all mean? (Sky News)

The US president confirmed goods from Mexico and Canada will face 25% tariffs, while 10% taxes will be implemented on imports from China.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Donald Trump's trade tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China ... (Aljazeera.com)

Mexico, Canada and China account for more than 40 percent of total goods traded with the United States.

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

FirstFT: China retaliates against Donald Trump's tariffs (Financial Times)

Also in today's newsletter, Citi bucks back-to-office trend and the latest blow against USAID.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Donald Trump to cut off funding for South Africa over land seizure ... (BBC News)

President Cyril Ramaphosa last month signed into law a bill aimed at speeding up land reform.

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Donald Trump tariffs: Opening salvos fired in trade war - what comes ... (BBC News)

Are we seeing the opening moves in a wider trade war, and what are the potential economic consequences?

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Trump sows uncertainty - and Xi Jinping sees an opportunity (BBC News)

President Xi Jinping has made no secret of his ambition for China to lead an alternate world order.

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Why China has not retaliated more in Donald Trump trade spat (Sky News)

Sky's Ian King writes there are reasons why China has been spared harsher tariffs by the White House as the Trump administration imposes additional import ...

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