South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared to respond to threats from U.S. counterpart Donald Trump by saying in his annual speech to the nation Thursday that his country would "not be bullied." The comment by Ramaphosa was seen as a reaction to Trump's pledge to cut all funding to South Africa over a new land expropriation law — although Ramaphosa did not mention Trump by name.

Clear battle lines between South Africa’s Government of National Unity and US President Donald Trump’s new administration have emerged after a week of rising tensions.

In a State of the Nation Address (SoNA) overshadowed by diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the US over land, social inclusion and climate policies, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa would “not be bullied” as it sought to chart a new path in a rapidly changing world.