South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington next week, aiming to reset the strategic relationship between the two countries amidst strained ties.
Tensions have been escalating over policy issues, including the US resettlement of white Afrikaners claiming “persecution” in South Africa, a claim Pretoria denies.
The US administration has criticized various South African policies, such as its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and a land expropriation law meant to address historical inequalities.
The meeting, scheduled for May 21, 2025, at the White House, will discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues of interest. Ramaphosa’s office stated that the visit provides a platform to improve relations between the two countries.
However, trade discussions will also be a key part of the agenda, particularly given the US’s recent tariffs announcement, which has raised concerns in South Africa’s automobile and citrus industries. The US is South Africa’s second-largest trade partner.
The controversy surrounding the Afrikaners has added to the tension, with Trump making an exception for them despite halting refugee arrivals after taking office.
South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile responded, saying Trump had been “lied to” about the alleged persecution, emphasizing that there’s no genocide in South Africa and that people of different races live and work together harmoniously.
