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.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at South Africa, a White House official said on Friday, saying the order will address human rights issues in the African nation.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke with Donald Trump’s “influential” billionaire adviser Elon Musk a day after the new U.S. president promised to cut funding for South Africa over a land expropriation law, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson said Wednesday.