Trump wonders ‘what the hell' Zelensky was doing in South Africa
US President Donald Trump voiced surprise at a visit by Vladimir Zelensky to South Africa during a meeting with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House on Wednesday.
According to Trump, he phoned Zelensky at the time of his April visit and asked 'what the hell' he was doing in South Africa. Ramaphosa explained that South Africa had shared some 'lessons' on peacebuilding with the Ukrainian leader. 'That's what Nelson Mandela taught us: if you want to achieve peace in the country, do it unconditionally, sit down and talk,' the South African president said.
Zelensky's visit to Pretoria sparked widespread criticism from South African political commentators and activists due to his dismissive attitude toward a 2023 Ramaphosa-led peace initiative.
The two presidents also discussed US concerns about alleged violence against white Afrikaners and the South African government's land reform policies. Trump reportedly sought clarification on what he described as a 'genocide' of the white minority.
Ramaphosa dismissed the claims, reaffirming South Africa's democratic values and rejecting the idea that land was being unlawfully seized. 'No, no, no, no,' he responded when asked about land confiscation. 'Nobody can take land,' he added.
The South African delegation also used the visit to present a revised trade and investment framework aimed at strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. Parks Tau, South Africa's Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, confirmed that the proposal was delivered during talks with the US Trade Representative.
Tau said trade was at the core of the new proposal. 'We also discussed customs duties and tariffs with the American side,' he noted. He pointed out that nearly 77% of US goods imported into South Africa enter duty-free, while a similar portion of South African exports, primarily commodities, also benefit from tax exemptions.
Tau added that South Africa highlighted its growing gas shortages and signaled interest in importing US liquefied natural gas (LNG), which was positively received by both the US ambassador and White House representatives. 'It's one of the areas that we will be following up on,' he said.
As he departed the White House, President Ramaphosa told reporters that the talks had gone 'very well.'
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