US House Committee Advances Bill Seeking Sanctions on South Africa

U.S. lawmakers, led by Republicans, have advanced the "U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act" through the House Foreign Affairs Committee, prompting a potential full House vote and signaling escalating tensions between the two nations. The bill calls for a comprehensive review of U.S.-South Africa relations, including trade, military cooperation, and diplomatic ties, and proposes sanctions against South African officials and ANC leaders due to South Africa's perceived alignment with Russia, China, Iran, and support for Hamas, as well as its criticism of U.S. and Western foreign policies. This legislative move coincides with the looming imposition of a 30% U.S. tariff on South African imports, which Pretoria warns could severely damage its economy and industries such as automotive, steel, and agriculture. The bill has sparked partisan debate in the U.S., with Democrats cautioning that sanctions might harm bilateral relations, hurt South African citizens, destabilize the region, and worsen China's influence in Africa, while Republicans emphasize South Africa's abandonment of the U.S. and its allies. South Africa's actions, such as filing genocide allegations against Israel at the International Court of Justice and conducting military exercises with China and Russia, have been cited as evidence of its distancing from Washington. The situation underscores a growing divide in U.S. foreign policy toward Africa under President Donald Trump, balancing punitive measures against diplomatic engagement.