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.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday that his country "will not be bullied," days after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would cut off funding to South Africa over a land reform act.

Trump and his allies have targeted South Africa, promoting the false narrative that white people are being mistreated by the nation’s post-apartheid government.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke with Elon Musk a day after U.S. President Donald Trump promised to cut the country's funding over a land expropriation law

South Africa's rand was steady in early trading on Friday, after President Cyril Ramaphosa said his government would launch a second wave of reforms to try to boost economic growth.

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.