By Brian Kenety Relations between the United States and South Africa – already strained over their previous governments’ positions on the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict and other geopolitical issues – have rapidly spiralled since Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had lashed out on social media over comments critical of President Trump that the ambassador had made to a think tank in Johannesburg.

Ties between the United States and South Africa have deteriorated since Trump cut U.S. financial aid to the country.