Trump Ends HIV/AIDS Funding Program in South Africa, Explains Rationale

United States President Donald Trump has announced that the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will be terminated in South Africa. The decision was justified by concerns over how the country manages issues that affect its white minority.

The U.S. State Department issued a statement on Friday explaining that South Africa had not addressed several matters raised by Washington prior to the decision. Among the concerns cited were the country’s Black Economic Empowerment policies, which U.S. officials say do not grant exemptions to American companies.

The State Department also criticized South Africa’s Expropriation Act of 2024, arguing that it could enable property seizures without fair compensation or due process.

Additionally, the United States urged South Africa to focus more on rural crime and to allocate more resources to combating attacks in farming communities.

Another point of contention was the country’s handling of refugee matters, with U.S. officials warning against actions that could disrupt refugee programs under local law.

“South Africa is a middle‑income country and is more than capable of supporting its own health programs,” a State Department spokesperson said.