Latest news with #SouthAfricaUSRelations
The Herald
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald
'I was bemused': Ramaphosa reacts to Trump's 'dim the lights' at White House
Ramaphosa and his delegation went to the US last week in an effort to reset the strategic relationship between South Africa and the US and to dispel misinformation about South Africa, particularly regarding land reform and violence against white farmers. Shortly after engaging the media, Trump ambushed Ramaphosa and his delegation with videos of EFF leader Julius Malema chanting 'Kill the Boer' and a video of 'burial sites of white farmers', catching them off-guard. While the videos were playing, Ramaphosa looked as if he wasn't expecting to see those clips. Despite that, Ramaphosa said his working visit to the US was a success. 'While this was a necessary conversation, the overarching aim of our visit was to deepen our strategic economic partnership with the US as our second-largest trading partner. 'South Africa has always regarded the US as a strong investment and trading partner. Our countries and our economies are bound together in many ways. We went to Washington to establish a basis for greater economic co-operation and to address some of the challenges that have recently arisen in relations between our two countries.' TimesLIVE
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Trump to meet with South African president amid tensions over aid, Afrikaners, Israel: Live updates
Donald Trump will host President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa at the White House today amid ongoing tensions between the two nations since the beginning of his administration. The president has criticized South African land reform, which aims to address the injustices of apartheid, as well as the genocide court case against Israel. Trump canceled aid to the country, expelled its ambassador, and offered refuge to white minority Afrikaners based on racial discrimination claims that Pretoria says are unfounded. Ramaphosa says no matter what, the U.S. and South Africa 'are joined at the hip and we need to be talking to them.' The U.S. is South Africa's second biggest trading partner after China. At today's lunch and Oval Office meeting between the two leaders, Ramaphosa's delegation will include luxury goods tycoon Johann Rupert and champion golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Trump will be accompanied by Vice President JD Vance and South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who has accused Ramaphosa of pursuing anti-white policies, which Ramaphosa denies. A spokesperson for Ramaphosa has dismissed speculation that there could be a shouting match similar to the clash between Trump and Ukraine 's Volodymyr Zelensky in February. Good morning Welcome to our rolling coverage of today's meeting between President Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa. Trump is set to greet his South African counterpart outside the White House at 11:30 a.m. ET this morning before a bilateral lunch in the Cabinet room. That will be followed by a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at 12:45 p.m. Joining the South African delegation will be luxury goods tycoon Johann Rupert and champion golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Oliver O'Connell21 May 2025 14:43
