Amid much hand wringing over President Donald Trump’s hostility towards South Africa, some clear-eyed analysis has emerged confirming that Trump’s enmity has not been triggered only by the new Expropriation Act, which was held up as the proximate cause of his executive order against the country.

The reasons are manifold and include positions that South Africa has adopted on a range of international and domestic policies – from BRICS to Gaza, and from climate to inclusion – that are in direct conflict with Trump’s worldview.

There is far less agreement, however, on how South Africa should respond and whether its default strategy of sending envoys to “explain” the country’s choices will prove effective, or will be rebuffed as downright insulting.

What is clear, however, is that South Africa is not only unwilling but, in most cases, morally unable to bend to Trump’s will.

Some of the country’s positions are deeply historical, as in the ANC’s relationship with the Palestinians or arguments that South Africa has a sovereign right to be non-aligned.

Others are core to the unfolding democratic project (no matter how flawed they have been in implementation), such as economic transformation, land redistribution and racial and gender inclusion.

Yet others are simply correct from a scientific perspective, notably South Africa’s acceptance of the threat posed by climate inaction, despite it still being heavily reliant on coal for electricity and even fuel.

That said, South Africa has simply no chance of going toe to toe with a superpower, particularly one that is unmoved by facts or better arguments and is motivated only by ‘quid pro quo’ dealmaking.

In such a context, there is little space for diplomatic persuasion, let alone moral suasion.

Facts and figures are also simply no match for the the trigger-happy social media distortionists, who favour ‘creative disruption’ and who live by the maxim that ‘comment is sacred, and facts are free’.

So, what is to be done?

For one, South Africa needs to sharpen its arguments around its core values and make clear what are non-negotiables. This, so that these can be properly communicated to those many other governments that remain sympathetic, but which can no longer rely on the halo that once surrounded South Africa after its peaceful transition.

Secondly, South Africa should make changes to its transformation regulations to make them simpler, more effective and uniform – demanding 30% black ownership on one side of the technology sector fence and allowing equity equivalents on the other is counterproductive.

Thirdly, accelerate the review of the Expropriation Act to the Constitutional Court to settle its legality rapidly.

Fourth, ramp up safety and security in rural towns and villages, including by using the technology that has reportedly met with some success in hardening infrastructure targets against criminality.

Lastly, continue with efforts to reach an acceptable settlement with the Trump administration, while preparing for the worst by using the unique leverage offered by our G20 Presidency to bolster other international ties.