Coalition Tensions Rise in South Africa Over U.S. Trade Dispute and Envoy Visa Row

 

Tensions are escalating within South Africa's coalition government after a dispute over how to respond to upcoming U.S. tariffs. The Democratic Alliance (DA), the junior partner in the coalition, claimed that the United States denied a diplomatic visa to Mcebisi Jonas, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s trade envoy. The DA said Jonas was prevented from traveling to Washington to negotiate on behalf of South Africa amid growing trade tensions with the Trump administration.

The presidency has not confirmed whether Jonas was denied a visa. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated that Ramaphosa had not required Jonas to make a U.S. visit, adding that Jonas has been working with South Africa’s trade and foreign ministries behind the scenes. Jonas was not part of a delegation that visited Washington in May, during which President Donald Trump made inflammatory remarks about South Africa.

The DA’s claims come as Washington prepares to impose a 30 percent tariff on South African goods starting August 1, a move the central bank warns could cost up to 100,000 jobs. The DA has come under fire from the African National Congress (ANC) for conducting an independent visit to the U.S. earlier this year. The ANC criticized the visit as undermining diplomatic unity, particularly since the DA has also opposed South Africa’s race-based economic policies.

In response, Ramaphosa dismissed a DA deputy minister who took part in the U.S. trip without approval. The fallout reflects growing divisions in the coalition, which was formed after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in the last election. The alliance has been marred by disputes over equity laws, education, and budget transparency. DA official Emma Louise Powell defended the party’s actions, saying it will continue to engage with democratic nations globally.

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