Latest news with #SouthAfrica-U.S.
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Trump's attendance at the G20 Summit: A boost for South Africa's international relations
International relations experts and economists have welcomed the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that US President Donald Trump will attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November. International relations experts and economists have welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement that US President Donald Trump will attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025, viewing it as a significant boost for South Africa's global standing and economic prospects. G20's Relevance Secured Andre Thomashausen, Professor Emeritus of International Law at Unisa, described Trump's attendance as a pivotal moment for the G20. 'The participation of the US President ensures the G20's relevance as a forum for the world's top leaders to engage informally, beyond the scope of the United Nations,' he said on Tuesday. 'With Trump present, other heads of state will have little reason to abstain.' However, Thomashausen noted a challenge: South Africa's commitment to enforcing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, which may prevent his attendance and limit discussions on the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Economic Implications for South Africa Siyabonga Ntombela, a political analyst at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, pointed to the economic significance of Trump's visit for South Africa-U.S. trade relations. 'This signals to the over 600 US companies operating here that investing in South Africa retains the support of the U.S. administration, despite Trump's recent tariff hikes, which some view as hostile to South Africa and other nations,' Ntombela said. He also pointed to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), noting that Trump's attendance could reaffirm US commitment to the program. 'However, it may also spark perceptions that South Africa is leaning away from BRICS neutrality, reflecting the complexities of global politics,' he added.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Golfing legends join South Africa's president for Trump meeting
A pair of champion South African golfers joined their country's president for a visit to the White House on Wednesday in an appeal to President Trump's love of the sport. Ernie Els and Retief Goosen accompanied South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during an Oval Office meeting with Trump. Another legendary South African golfer, Gary Player, was unable to join, Ramaphosa said. The South African leader also brought a book that showcased golf courses in his country. 'What a group of golfers South Africa's had. There must be something in the water, right?' Trump said. Goosen is a two-time U.S. Open champion. Ernie Els was the top-ranked player in the world for nine weeks and won four major championships. After the meeting devolved and grew more tense over Trump's claims of 'genocide' targeting white farmers in South Africa, he invited Els to speak. The Johannesburg native appealed to Trump about the importance of the South Africa-U.S. relationship. 'We still want to see our country flourish. We've got some great things going on,' Els said. 'We need the U.S. to push this thing through… Very important for us to have your support and, you know, get the change we need.' Trump later asked Goosen to speak, and he recounted his experience growing up in a mostly rural part of South Africa. The U.S. president plays golf regularly at his courses in Florida, Virginia and New Jersey. His courses have also hosted the LIV golf league, a Saudi-backed competitor to the PGA. Ramaphosa's decision to bring Els and Goosen to the White House visit is a reflection of his efforts to make inroads with the president amid simmering tensions. Trump has fixated on South Africa in recent months over claims that Afrikaners, a white ethnic minority, have been unfairly targeted. The president signed an executive order in February pausing foreign assistance to South Africa over claims that the government there 'radically disfavored landowners.' Earlier this month, the Trump administration welcomed a plane carrying 49 Afrikaners granted refugee status. The move raised eyebrows given the administration's wider pause of the refugee program and crackdown on immigration. South African officials have rejected the Trump administration's claims, saying there is no evidence of genocide or persecution of Afrikaners in the country. Updated at 1:28 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Reuters
01-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
South African manufacturing conditions still depressed, Absa PMI shows
JOHANNESBURG, April 1 (Reuters) - A South African purchasing managers' index (PMI) survey showed that conditions in the manufacturing sector remained depressed in March, but there was a slight improvement in sentiment thanks to better demand. The seasonally-adjusted PMI sponsored by South African bank Absa rose to 48.7 points in March from 44.7 in February, but it remained below the 50-point mark that separates expansion from contraction. "While the headline PMI remained in contractionary territory for a fifth consecutive month, this is the highest reading since the 52.6 points recorded in October," Absa said in a statement. There was an improvement in the business activity sub-index as export sales helped demand recover. But Absa said scheduled power cuts and strained South Africa-U.S. relations were likely putting a dampener on the mood. President Donald Trump has cut U.S. financial assistance to South Africa, citing disapproval of the country's approach to land reform and its genocide case against Washington's close ally Israel at the World Court. Businesses also fear South Africa's preferential trade status under the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act could be under threat with Trump in the White House.
