South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to arrive in the United States on Monday morning for a high-stakes working visit that will culminate in a face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
The visit comes against the backdrop of months of diplomatic strain between the two nations. Earlier this year, President Trump accused South Africa of violating property rights through its land expropriation policy, claiming that White-owned land was being forcibly seized — a charge Pretoria has flatly denied.
Trump further fueled tensions by alleging, without evidence, that a genocide against White Afrikaners was underway. In response, the U.S. slashed millions in foreign aid to South Africa, citing human rights concerns.
Despite the rocky lead-up, Ramaphosa’s office has described the visit as an “opportunity to reset” bilateral ties.
Key issues expected to dominate the closed-door meeting include trade and tariffs, the ongoing Ukraine conflict, the war in Gaza, and South Africa’s presidency of the G20.
The U.S., however, has indicated it will boycott the upcoming G20 summit, citing concerns over South Africa’s foreign policy positions — notably, its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Pretoria has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights, a position that has further complicated its relationship with Washington.
Ramaphosa departed Johannesburg on Sunday evening, with his team saying he intends to “defend South Africa’s sovereignty and its right to pursue independent foreign and domestic policies.”
