US Ambassador L. Brent Bozell III said South Africa’s Black empowerment rules leave billions in US capital sidelined, citing mandatory local equity transfers in mining and telecoms. He said Washington questions Pretoria’s viability as a partner.
The policies are intended to redress inequalities caused by apartheid. Since early 2025, Washington has also escalated pressure over property rights, rural safety and Pretoria’s foreign-policy alignment.
Last week, the Trump administration imposed visa restrictions on unspecified South African officials it accused of “government-sponsored” discrimination. Bozell said the restrictions were the start of a series of measures against Pretoria. South Africa is also centering its role as a dominant global supplier of platinum-group metals in efforts to repair ties with Washington; the US needs the metals for its industrial base.
