South Africa claims that attempts to discuss the Trump aid cut have not received a response from the US

Ronald Lamola, the foreign minister of South Africa, told Reuters on Monday that efforts to address President Donald Trump’s executive order halting aid had not received a response from the US.

Citing displeasure of the country’s land reform program and its genocide complaint against Israel at the International Court of Justice, Trump withdrew U.S. financial aid to the nation this month.

“We are awaiting feedback and a reaction despite our best efforts to formally engage and communicate through our mission in Washington. We’re hoping they’ll find time to reply and talk with us,” Lamola said in an interview with Reuters.

“We don’t think it’s ideal that diplomatic matters can only be handled through social media.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s criticism of South Africa’s G20 theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” has led him to abstain from the G20 conference of foreign ministers that South Africa is hosting later this week in Johannesburg.

According to Lamola, South Africa is arranging bilateral meetings with other nations with which it enjoys positive trade ties, including China, which he said has promised its help.

“(China said) that they are there in solidarity with us, and they stand ready to pledge support in terms of whatever trade relations and challenges that they can,” said the minister.

According to Lamola, South Africa will keep attempting to get in touch with the US.

“The best-case scenario is for us and them to find common ground on a variety of areas, so we won’t become weary. However, we must acknowledge the fact that we must prepare for any possible circumstance.