On March 14, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, has been expelled and is no longer allowed to remain in the country. The announcement, made through a post on X, reflects growing tensions between Washington and Pretoria under the Trump administration. Disagreements over South Africa’s land policies and international partnerships have strained relations, leading to this rare diplomatic action. The decision to designate Rasool as persona non grata—normally a designation for lower-level diplomats—marks a deterioration in ties between the two nations, which have cooperated in various sectors since South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994.
The expulsion follows remarks Rasool made during a March 14 webinar hosted by a South African think tank. According to Breitbart News, which Rubio cited in his statement, Rasool discussed U.S. policies under President Donald Trump in the context of demographic shifts that could lead to white Americans no longer being the majority. Rubio viewed these comments as inflammatory and accused Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician” who was hostile toward both Trump and the country he was assigned to engage with diplomatically. South Africa’s government, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has not issued a formal statement beyond calling the expulsion “regrettable” and indicating that it will seek diplomatic avenues to address the situation.
Tensions between the U.S. and South Africa have been escalating, largely due to policy differences. A key point of contention is South Africa’s land reform law, which Ramaphosa signed in January to facilitate land redistribution efforts aimed at correcting historical injustices. The Trump administration has strongly opposed the measure, arguing that it discriminates against white farmers. South African officials have rejected this characterization, stating that the policy is designed to promote economic fairness and address long-standing disparities.
Additionally, U.S. officials have expressed concern over South Africa’s growing relationship with China, one of its largest trading partners. South Africa’s neutral stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has further fueled Washington’s frustrations, as the Trump administration has sought stronger support against Moscow. These geopolitical dynamics have added strain to what was once a stable partnership.
Despite recent disagreements, the U.S. and South Africa have a long history of cooperation in areas such as health, education, and trade. Programs like PEPFAR have played a crucial role in South Africa’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, and American businesses continue to invest in various sectors of the South African economy. However, since Trump took office, diplomatic relations have cooled, with public disputes becoming more frequent.
The decision to remove Rasool is an uncommon move, even during moments of heightened international tension. In the past, the U.S. has rarely expelled ambassadors, even when conflicts with nations such as Russia escalated. Some Republican lawmakers have backed Rubio’s decision, calling it a necessary response to an ambassador they view as working against American interests. Meanwhile, some Democrats and foreign policy analysts have raised concerns that the expulsion could weaken U.S. influence in Africa at a time when global competition for diplomatic and economic ties on the continent is increasing.
Rasool, who has served as ambassador since 2020, will now be required to leave the U.S., leaving South Africa’s embassy in Washington without its senior representative. How this development will affect future diplomatic and economic relations remains to be seen, but it introduces a new level of friction between the two governments. As Washington and Pretoria navigate this rift, the situation highlights the broader challenges of balancing national policies, global alliances, and economic interests in an increasingly complex international environment.
Image is in the public domain and was created by DoD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo (Released).
