South African President begins visit to Washington amid strained relations with Pretoria
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa began an official visit to the United States on Wednesday, during which he will hold talks with President Donald Trump, amid escalating tensions between the two countries.
A statement issued by the South African presidency stated that Ramaphosa will discuss with Trump several bilateral, regional, and international issues of common interest to the two countries.
Ramaphosa, who is accompanied on this visit by a high-level delegation including senior officials, including the Minister of Agriculture, is expected to discuss with Trump opportunities for economic cooperation with companies owned by South African businessman Elon Musk.
The visit comes just days after Washington welcomed the first group of white South African refugees, 59 of whom were granted refugee status after the Trump administration deemed them persecuted in their home country.
The US president had accused the South African government of committing “genocide” against the white minority of Afrikaner origin, a claim Pretoria strongly denied, calling it “misleading and dangerous”.
US-South Africa relations have been strained since Trump returned to the White House on January 25, 2025, manifested in several steps, including the suspension of US financial aid and the expulsion of the South African ambassador from Washington.
