Ramaphosa, Trump in High-Stakes White House Talks

Zim Now Writer

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, in what analysts are calling a "make-or-break" moment for relations between the two countries.

The talks come at a time of escalating tensions, following a series of controversial decisions and statements from the Trump administration that have strained the longstanding partnership between Pretoria and Washington.

Relations soured after Trump canceled aid programs to South Africa and expelled the country’s ambassador from Washington. Ramaphosa is hopeful that his visit will help mend diplomatic bridges and prevent the deterioration of economic and political ties.

Concerns are mounting that South Africa could lose key US trade privileges under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which allows sub-Saharan African nations to export goods duty-free to the US. South Africa, the agreement’s largest agricultural exporter, sends two-thirds of its produce to the US under AGOA.

Tensions escalated further last week after 59 White South Africans were granted refugee status in the US. Trump and his ally, Elon Musk—himself born in South Africa—have claimed that these individuals are being persecuted back home.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio added fuel to the fire on Tuesday by saying that prioritizing White South Africans for refugee resettlement serves “US national interests,” as they are “easier to vet.”

The Trump administration has also openly criticized South Africa’s new expropriation law, which allows the government to seize land in some instances without compensation. Trump has claimed that White-owned farms—reportedly comprising 72% of South Africa’s agricultural land—are being unfairly targeted and has repeated unverified allegations that a “genocide” is unfolding against White farmers.

Trump is also displeased with South Africa’s ongoing genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, further complicating diplomatic efforts.

Despite the tensions, Ramaphosa is entering the talks with a plan. According to his spokesman Vincent Magwenya, South Africa is open to negotiating a potential licensing deal with Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, in a bid to build goodwill.

Experts are divided on the outcome. University of Johannesburg research associate Neo Letswalo warned that Ramaphosa faces a “tightrope walk,” noting the intensity of past meetings in the Oval Office, including a recent shouting match between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Ramaphosa must rely on supreme negotiation tactics while maintaining his stance of not being bullied by America,” Letswalo said.

Professor Christopher Afoke Isike of the University of Pretoria, however, believes Ramaphosa may find common ground with Trump due to their shared background in business.

A key sticking point, analysts say, could be if the US demands South Africa abandon its land expropriation policy or withdraw its ICJ case against Israel.

“That would be a dealbreaker,” Letswalo warned. “It will be interesting to see how Ramaphosa upholds national sovereignty without compromising bilateral relations.”

Professor André Duvenhage from Northwest University sees this as Ramaphosa’s “single biggest challenge” of his presidency—one that could define his legacy on the international stage.