CAPE TOWN — South Africa hosted naval exercises named 'Will for Peace' with China, Russia, and Iran off its east coast in early 2026. The drills drew sharp attention from Washington and intensified scrutiny of South Africa’s foreign policy stance.

The joint exercises occurred as South Africa’s government, now a coalition between the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance following the 2024 loss of its parliamentary majority, faced growing questions about its declared non-aligned posture. In January 2026, South Africa also abstained on a UN Human Rights Council resolution condemning Iran’s crackdown on protesters.

"It is a political choice, whether the government admits it or not," said Chris Hattingh, defense spokesman for the Democratic Alliance. Darren Olivier, director of the African Defense Review, added, "I don't think anyone still regards South Africa as truly non-aligned." He also said, "South Africa's closeness with Iran and Russia has already affected investment, international partnerships, and confidence in the country."

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola defended the government’s approach, stating, "Our foreign policy of non-alignment is not anti-West or anti anyone." Lamola described the policy as a "sovereign choice grounded in the constitution and international law."

The naval drills unfolded as trade relations with the United States, South Africa’s second-largest trading partner after China, deteriorated. In August 2025, the U.S. imposed a 30% tariff on South African goods—the highest rate on the African continent—contributing to a roughly 75% drop in vehicle exports to the U.S. that year. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), under which vehicles accounted for about two-thirds of South Africa’s U.S. exports in 2025, lapsed on September 30, 2025, and was renewed in February 2026 through the end of 2026.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down broad reciprocal tariffs in February 2026, prompting the administration to replace the 30% tariff with a flat rate of roughly 10% to 15% in early 2026. Despite the trade tensions, South African exports to the U.S. rose from 238 billion rand ($13 billion) in 2024 to 260 billion rand ($14 billion) in 2025. In January 2026, South Africa announced it would temporarily withdraw from the G20 as the U.S. assumed the group’s presidency for 2026. BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has become central to South Africa’s diplomacy and a growing source of friction with the West.