South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday in a tense, high-stakes meeting that could reshape strained ties. Ramaphosa aims to repair relations after aid cuts and the expulsion of South Africa’s U.S. ambassador. Still, fears are mounting that the meeting could turn combative, mirroring Trump’s explosive Oval Office clash with Ukraine’s Zelensky in February.
The trade relations between South Africa and the United States will be the focus of my working visit here. We aim to strengthen and consolidate relations between our two countries. pic.twitter.com/d2CT7FpoKc
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) May 20, 2025
Trump has accused Pretoria of targeting White farmers and claimed a “White genocide” is underway, citing the arrival of 59 White South African refugees.
Ramaphosa is expected to pitch a licensing deal for Musk’s Starlink and hopes to preserve key U.S. trade privileges. Analysts say the outcome could hinge on Ramaphosa’s ability to resist pressure while safeguarding U.S.-South Africa economic ties.
