South Africa Says Trump’s Land Tweet Was Based on ‘False Information’

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments on South African land reform are regrettable and based on false information, according to the country’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

The ministry will meet with the U.S. embassy in Pretoria on Thursday to seek clarity on Trump’s “unfortunate comments,” it said in a statement. Minister Lindiwe Sisulu “will also communicate with U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on the matter through diplomatic channels.”

Trump earlier said in a tweet that he’s asked Pompeo to “closely study the South Africa land and farm seizures and expropriations.” The comments raised concerns that the U.S. could punish South Africa economically, which led to the rand weakening as much as 2 percent against the U.S. currency.

©2018 Bloomberg L.P.