South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is already in the United States ready for a stressful official visit.
His presence in Washington will be punctuated by the highly anticipated meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ramaphosa meets Trump on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 while his tour of U.S takes four days.
The meeting comes amid recent tensions, primarily driven by misunderstandings over South Africa’s land policies and the U.S. decision to classify some Afrikaner South Africans as refugees.
Ramaphosa has previously criticized Trump’s comments on South African land reform, stating in a speech that Trump ‘has never been here’ and should not interfere in South African affairs.
Additionally, Ramaphosa rebuked the U.S. for accepting 59 Afrikaners as refugees, calling the claims of persecution unfounded and emphasizing that they do not qualify for such status. On the other hand, Trump has accused South Africa of land grabs and white genocide, a narrative that has fuelled controversy and drawn sharp criticism from South African leaders.
Other possibilities for the meeting include discussions on new trade agreements, with South Africa keen to strengthen economic ties and create job opportunities.
Ramaphosa has expressed optimism, noting that the meeting offers a chance to clarify misunderstandings and set the record straight.
He aims to convince Trump of the mutual benefits of maintaining close ties, particularly as South Africa positions itself as a key player in African multilateralism, as highlighted in his recent G20 stance where he declared, “We will not be bullied!” Meanwhile, sources suggest Trump may push back on South Africa’s policies, potentially leading to a tense exchange, with some anticipating a confrontational tone from the U.S. president.
As both leaders prepare to meet, the outcome remains uncertain. A successful dialogue could pave the way for improved bilateral relations, while unresolved differences might further strain ties between the two nations.