South African president warns ‘we will not be bullied’ amid feud with Trump, Musk– www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Excerpt:
South Africa “will not be bullied” by President Donald Trump, the leader of the nation declared in a national speech.
President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the United States government’s newfound hostility to South Africa’s domestic policies on Thursday during his State of the Union address — stating that his government and people will not buckle under pressure from the White House.
“We are witnessing the rise of nationalism, protectionism, the pursuit of narrow interests, and the decline of common cause,” Ramaphosa said. “This is the world that we as South Africa, a developing economy, must now navigate, but we are not daunted. We are, as South Africans, a resilient people, and we will not be bullied.”
“We will speak with one voice in defense of our national interest, our sovereignty, and our constitutional democracy,” Ramaphosa continued. “By staying true to our values, by harnessing our unique strengths and endowments, and by forging a common purpose, we can turn these trying circumstances to our advantage and propel our country forward.”
It’s the latest rhetorical swing in a developing feud between the U.S. and South Africa — kicked off when Trump announced over the weekend that he would be cutting all future foreign aid to the country due to its new Expropriation Act, which will allow the confiscation of private property without reimbursement.