The new U.S. ambassador to South Africa was summoned to explain his criticism of the country’s policies, the South African foreign minister said Wednesday, as a diplomatic rift continues

JOHANNESBURG — The new U.S. ambassador to South Africa was summoned to explain his criticism of the country’s policies, the South African foreign minister said Wednesday, as a diplomatic rift continues.

Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III made the comments at a meeting of business leaders on Tuesday. He challenged the South African government over its diplomatic ties with Iran and its affirmative action laws that advance opportunities for Black people ahead of other races.

A rift has grown between the U.S. and South Africa since President Donald Trump returned to office. Trump has been critical of South Africa’s Black-led government, casting its foreign policy as anti-American and its domestic policies as anti-white.

Bozell, a conservative activist appointed by Trump, took up his role in Pretoria last month.