By Brian Kenety Relations between the United States and South Africa – already strained over their previous governments’ positions on the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict and other geopolitical issues – have rapidly spiralled since Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office.

Sec. of State Marco Rubio announced the expulsion of South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool following remarks Rasool made accusing the United States of engaging in "supremacist" policies domestically and globally.

Ties between the United States and South Africa have deteriorated since Trump cut U.S. financial aid to the country.