The screws of American sanctions against South Africa are being tightened and the ANC in the Government of National Unity (GNU) should take note of it.
According to a media report by Azernews (https://www.azernews.az/region/239544.html), the American Department of Commerce imposed export restrictions on 70 companies from Iran, China, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and South Africa.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security, these restrictions target, among others, 42 companies from China, 19 from Pakistan, 4 from the UAE, 3 from South Africa and 2 from Iran.
An official American source confirmed to the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) that the South African companies in question are Ascenso Aviation, Blue Sky Aviation and Wingman Concept.
Based on the Freedom Front Plus’s information, these sanctions relate to companies allegedly providing support and training to Chinese fighter pilots.
According to the report, the American government has identified these entities as acting in ways that “undermine national security” or “contravene American foreign policy”.
The report adds that in terms of these sanctions, American suppliers are prohibited from sending American-made goods to the sanctioned entities without obtaining a special licence.
“These restrictions are part of broader efforts by the U.S. to curb the export of sensitive technologies and materials that could be used for purposes deemed harmful to American interests, particularly in areas such as defence and cybersecurity.”
“The ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, as well as concerns over the potential use of advanced technologies by adversarial states, have contributed to the increasing frequency of such measures,” reads the report.
The spotlight is clearly focused on South Africa and its worsening relations with America, something the country simply cannot afford.
