Trump, Ramaphosa Discuss Land Seizure, Trade, and Diplomacy/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with Donald Trump at the White House to ease tensions and reset relations. The meeting followed Trump’s controversial claims of a “genocide” against white farmers. Both leaders expressed hope for a diplomatic reset despite deep policy divides.
Trump-Ramaphosa Talks Quick Looks
- Meeting Location: Oval Office, White House — May 21
- Purpose: Ramaphosa seeks to mend U.S.-South Africa relationship
- Backdrop: Trump has accused South Africa of anti-white policies
- Controversy: Trump claimed a “genocide” against Afrikaner farmers
- South Africa’s Response: Strong denial, citing high general crime
- Trump’s Actions: Cut all U.S. aid; welcomed white farmers as refugees
- Delegation Details: Included Ernie Els, Elon Musk, and Johann Rupert
- Topics Raised: Land rights, trade barriers, race-based policies, and Gaza
- Musk’s Involvement: Criticized affirmative action laws in South Africa
- Rubio’s Remarks: Warned of South Africa’s pattern of foreign policy divergence
Deep Look: Ramaphosa Meets Trump in Washington to Reset Tense U.S.-South Africa Relations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 21, 2025 — With relations between the U.S. and South Africa at their lowest point in decades, President Cyril Ramaphosa met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday in a bid to salvage a long-standing partnership strained by months of inflammatory rhetoric and policy rifts.
The diplomatic encounter came after Trump publicly accused South Africa’s government of orchestrating a “genocide” against white Afrikaner farmers — a charge widely dismissed by experts and human rights organizations.
Seeking a Reset
Standing beside Trump in the Oval Office, Ramaphosa said the two nations must “recalibrate” their relationship. “We are essentially here to reset the relationship between the United States and South Africa,” he said.
Trump, gesturing toward Ramaphosa, added:
“The president is a truly respected man in many, many circles — and in some circles, he’s considered a little controversial.”
Despite the tension, the two leaders held private talks over lunch and were joined by a high-profile delegation from South Africa aimed at softening diplomatic blows and addressing economic concerns.
Trump’s Allegations and Policy Moves
Trump’s sharpest criticisms stem from what he calls “anti-white policies” by the South African government, including land expropriation proposals. In February, he issued an executive order cutting all U.S. aid to South Africa, citing its alignment with “bad actors” such as Iran and Hamas, and its support for a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
“We are watching a pattern,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this week. “When one country is unaligned with the U.S. on issue after issue, conclusions must be drawn.”
Land Rights and the ‘Genocide’ Narrative
At the core of the clash is Trump’s unfounded claim that the South African government is engaged in a campaign of land seizures and violence targeting white farmers, particularly Afrikaners. Trump and his allies — including South African-born Elon Musk — have amplified this narrative.
South African officials and independent analysts argue that farm violence affects victims of all races, and the country’s high general crime rate explains the attacks. There is no legal record of state-led land seizures, and the proposed land reform legislation has yet to take effect.
Golfers and Business Leaders Join Delegation
In a clear nod to Trump’s personal interests, Ramaphosa’s delegation included professional golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, as well as luxury goods mogul Johann Rupert, a prominent white South African billionaire. The trio was seen as part of an effort to soothe economic fears and build personal rapport.
Musk also attended the meeting, where he reiterated his criticism of South Africa’s affirmative action policies, claiming they block his Starlink internet service from operating there due to racial ownership requirements.
Starlink Dispute and Racial Equity Laws
South African authorities counter that Musk’s Starlink has never formally applied for a license and, if it does, it would be subject to equity laws designed to rectify apartheid-era injustices. These require that 30% of any foreign company’s South African subsidiary be owned by Black or previously disadvantaged individuals.
Ramaphosa defended the laws as a core principle of democratic redress in the post-apartheid era.
Human Rights, Gaza, and the MTN Question
Beyond race and trade, Ramaphosa has also drawn U.S. ire for filing charges at The Hague against Israel, accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza. Additionally, his past role as board chair of MTN Group, which owns half of Iran’s second-largest telecom, has raised questions about links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Rubio and other Republican lawmakers have cited these foreign entanglements as evidence of South Africa’s drift away from U.S. priorities.
Caution After Zelenskyy Fallout
Mindful of the infamously confrontational Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this year, Ramaphosa appeared to take a diplomatic, measured tone.
While that meeting ended with Zelenskyy being ejected from the White House grounds, Ramaphosa emphasized unity and respect, seeking to maintain access to the U.S. market and calm concerns among international investors.
The Road Ahead
Despite the thorny issues on the table, both sides framed the meeting as a chance to reset relations and find common ground on trade, security, and diplomacy. Still, Trump’s messaging on land rights, affirmative action, and international alignment ensures that the U.S.-South Africa relationship will remain under intense scrutiny.
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