Objective of Ramaphosa’s US trip revealed

(MENAFN) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit to the United States is focused on discussing trade and bilateral relations with US President Donald Trump, according to SA News. Ramaphosa arrived in Washington on Monday, ahead of a meeting with Trump at the White House on Wednesday. This visit follows a period of strained relations between the two nations, triggered by Washington's concerns over South Africa’s new land expropriation policy, which it claims harms the rights of the white Afrikaner minority.

Addressing the media on Saturday, Ramaphosa dismissed concerns regarding the trip, stressing that the purpose of his visit is centered on fostering trade and bilateral relations between the two countries. “We’re going there to discuss trade and our bilateral relations and that’s what we’re going to discuss,” Ramaphosa stated.

The South African delegation accompanying Ramaphosa includes key officials such as Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen, Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, and the newly appointed special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas. They plan to present investment opportunities in sectors like energy, particularly natural gas, along with mining, agriculture, and transport infrastructure.

Relations between the US and South Africa have soured since Trump’s return to office in January. The US administration has criticized South Africa’s land reform policies, accusing Pretoria of undermining the rights of white Afrikaners. In response, Ramaphosa has defended the policies, explaining they aim to rectify historic racial inequalities in land ownership. Trump has also controversially claimed that Afrikaners are facing “genocide” and promised to expedite their naturalization process.

Ramaphosa has consistently rejected such claims, stating that there is no genocide in South Africa, a position supported by substantial evidence. Tensions worsened in March when Trump halted all US federal aid to South Africa and expelled its ambassador, accusing him of being “anti-American.” This move followed Pretoria’s legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged genocide.

South African officials have since made efforts to engage in dialogue with the US, hoping to address what they call misinformation about their land reform efforts. Ramaphosa revealed on social media last month that he and Trump had agreed to address these issues directly during his visit.

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