South Africa playing a dangerous game

By hosting naval exercises with fellow members of BRICS, particularly Iran, South Africa is playing a dangerous game of provoking the United States. 

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused BRICS members of engaging in “anti-American” activities and threatened elevated tariffs on its members. 

In recent days, these threats have become clearer and more direct, with Trump announcing 25% tariffs on imports to the United States from countries doing business with Iran. 

As South Africa currently has an Iranian naval vessel in its territorial waters using Simon’s Town as a base from which to participate in the Will to Peace 2026 exercises, it is firmly in the crosshairs. 

South Africa has reportedly tried to convince Iran to downgrade its participation to an observer to avoid drawing too much negative attention from the United States. 

While Pretoria claimed the country had downgraded its participation, DefenceWeb reported that Iran sent its naval corvette out to sea with the other participants. 

The Iranian vessel could also be seen participating in the exercises in a now-deleted social media post from the South African military. 

With Trump’s attention on BRICS as an anti-American bloc, South Africa is playing a dangerous game by hosting Iranian military vessels at its naval base in Simon’s Town. 

While the current impact of this seems to be limited to the additional 25% tariff, it could deepen significantly if Trump seeks to ramp up pressure on Iran. 

The Institute for Global Dialogue’s Professor Mikatekiso Kubayi said this tariff, regardless of the reasons behind it, should be taken seriously by South Africa. 

“Any tariff is an issue worth taking seriously. Whether it is a retaliatory tariff, a punitive tariff, or a means of weaponising trade policy. It must be taken seriously,” Kubayi told Newzroom Afrika. 

Kubayi explained that with other countries negotiating deals with America to lower tariffs on their goods towards 15%, South African products are at risk of becoming completely uncompetitive in the world’s largest consumer market. 

“Tariffs like this will have an impact on any economy. It makes it harder for our producers to sell their goods in the US market and enter value chains,” Kubayi said. 

Nothing new

South Africa’s decision to continue to engage with Iran and other American adversaries, while claiming neutrality in foreign policy matters, is seemingly deliberate. 

The United States has made its position on these matters clear, yet South Africa continues to seemingly antagonise America into taking action against it. 

“This tariff is nothing new or surprising. This has been going on throughout 2025. The Trump administration has made its position on Iran, South Africa, and BRICS very clear,” Kubayi said. 

“The Trump administration has made moves against the BRICS bloc, and it is this bloc that is now holding naval exercises from Simon’s Town.” 

The timing of these exercises is also crucial, with it coming amidst discussions in Washington regarding the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which gives its members preferential access to the American market. 

While South Africa does not benefit immensely from this agreement, its exclusion will create a perception issue for the country. 

Kubayi said everyone wants to do business with the United States, with the only question being how Pretoria negotiates with America in a mature way. 

To this end, he pointed to the actions taken by some of South Africa’s peers, particularly India, and how they have dealt with the United States. 

India has been proactive in securing high-level meetings with US officials by demonstrating a clear willingness to discuss a trade deal and potentially compromise on key issues with America. 

The Indian foreign minister has tried to align the country with American interests, including the processing of rare earth minerals and incentives for United States companies to reduce their reliance on China. 

These are things South Africa is able to do as well, with the country having rich deposits of rare earth minerals and the potential to secure a favourable trade deal with the United States. 

“It is all about how you engage with the United States to arrive at a particular deal at a bilateral level. There is no going around the Trump administration,” Kubayi said. 

Pressure on South Africa from the United States also appears to be ramping up, with officials outside of the Trump administration increasingly criticising the country. 

US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch urged the American government to take stronger action against South Africa. 

“South Africa’s ANC-led government’s foreign policy hides behind a claim of non-alignment, yet its military hosts drills with America’s chief adversaries,” Risch said. 

“Any promise or deal this government offers Washington is meaningless when its actions signal open hostility toward the United States.”

“President Trump is right to treat South Africa’s government for what it is – an adversary of America.” 

“That is why the US should take stronger action against the South African government. The time for envoys, bureaucratic reviews, or business deals bridging the gap has passed.”