WASHINGTON DC – President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Washington today for a high-stakes meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, as South Africa looks to protect trade interests and defuse mounting diplomatic tensions.
The visit comes at a delicate time in the relationship between the two countries. Since the beginning of his second term, Trump has taken a hard line on South Africa—cutting aid, expelling its ambassador, and criticizing its land reform policies and genocide case against Israel. Trump has also offered asylum to white Afrikaners, citing racial discrimination, claims that Pretoria has rejected.
“We need to be talking to them,” Ramaphosa said on state television before his departure, pointing to the importance of the United States, which is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner after China.
The South African president arrived in Washington armed with trade and investment proposals, hoping to steer relations back on track. He is joined by key cabinet ministers, billionaire Johann Rupert, and golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Trump’s side includes Vice President JD Vance, South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, and senior U.S. officials.
Musk, now a central figure in the conversation, has previously accused Ramaphosa’s administration of anti-white policies—allegations Ramaphosa has denied. Among the proposals Ramaphosa is bringing is a potential agreement to allow Tesla vehicles duty-free access to South Africa, in exchange for Musk investing in charging infrastructure.
South African media reports indicate that Rupert, through his global connections and past golf games with Trump, played a role in securing today’s 3:30 p.m. (GMT) meeting. Els is also believed to have helped smooth the way.
Back home, the stakes are high. The U.S. recently suspended aid, resulting in a decline in HIV testing, and trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) are under threat. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, part of the delegation, said South Africa is pushing to retain and expand farmers’ access to the U.S. market under AGOA.
Trump is expected to press for exemptions from South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment laws, which require some sectors to have a 30% stake held by historically disadvantaged groups. These policies are central to Ramaphosa’s promise to address inequality stemming from apartheid.
Trump has also accused the South African government of targeting white farmers and promoting violence against them—accusations dismissed by Pretoria. No land expropriation has taken place under the current land reform law, which requires court approval and limits such action to the public interest.
Despite Trump’s criticism, Ramaphosa remains committed to redressing the country’s apartheid legacy. He is known for his negotiation skills, having led the African National Congress’s team during the early 1990s talks that ended white minority rule, and for his past success in business before assuming the presidency in 2018.
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