Following a recent Solidarity Movement delegation visit to the US amid tensions between Washington and Pretoria, the Democratic Alliance (DA) also undertook a visit to the US capital this week, in an attempt to stabilise diplomatic relations between both countries.

Turbulent relations between South Africa and Donald Trump’s administration came to a head after the signing of the Expropriation Act, tensions which many believe were exacerbated by the Solidarity Movement and its members AfriForum and Solidarity lobbying the US.

Charges of treason have since be laid against AfriForum.

Trump has stopped aid to the country, significantly impacting thousands of health-care programmes, and critically jeopardising HIV/Aids projects.

There are also concerns surrounding the possibility that South Africa could lose vital access to US markets through the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

During its visit to Washington, the DA said it had engaged with the US Congress, State Department and the White House, to present “accurate and fact-based information” on issues affecting South Africa.

“The DA further emphasised the importance of maintaining strong communication channels between our two nations, in light of recent tensions exacerbated by unnecessary provocations, which come at the expense of the unity and continued economic development of our Nation,” said DA International Relations & Cooperation spokesperson Emma Louise Powell.

She said the visit proved that there was a need to strengthen bilateral trust.

Further, the DA is legally challenging the Expropriation Act.

“The DA has consistently called for a comprehensive reform of South Africa’s foreign policy agenda and the consistent application of our policy of non-alignment in advancing our national interest. The DA remains resolute in opposing the ANC’s divisive, race-based policies, and advocating for a means-based approach to addressing systemic inequality,” she added.