In many western countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom (where the Anti-Apartheid Movement was based) and the Commonwealth, there was much debate over the imposition of economic sanctions in order to weaken Botha and undermine the white regime.
Di banyak negara barat, seperti misalnya Amerika Serikat, Britania Raya (yang merupakan basis Gerakan Anti Apartheid, dan negara-negara Persemakmuran Bersama terjadi banyak perdebetan tentang pemberlakuan sanksi-sanksi ekonomi untuk memperlemah Botha dan menggangsir rezim minoritas kulit putih.