South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, seeking to repair strained relations and propose a trade deal to counter Trump’s ongoing criticisms of South Africa.
Trump has targeted South Africa’s land reform policies and its legal actions against Israel, resulting in aid cuts, the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador, and the offer of refuge to white South Africans based on racial discrimination claims that Pretoria rejects. Ramaphosa, however, insists on dialogue, acknowledging the critical trade relationship between the two nations. The United States is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner after China.
During the meeting, Ramaphosa plans to offer a broad trade deal, though details remain unclear. Trump is expected to demand exemptions for U.S. companies from South Africa’s race-based hiring laws, which require businesses to hire and promote Black South Africans to redress past injustices. Ramaphosa’s government is unlikely to ease these regulations, which are central to its commitment to racial justice.
The South African president will also discuss potential opportunities for Elon Musk’s companies, Tesla and Starlink, including favorable tariffs for Tesla imports and licensing for Starlink in South Africa. These discussions reflect Musk’s critical stance toward Ramaphosa’s policies, though the president denies accusations of pursuing anti-white actions.
Ramaphosa is accompanied by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, who will advocate for South African farmers’ access to the U.S. market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which faces potential tariffs under Trump’s regime.
Despite the tension, Ramaphosa’s negotiation skills, honed during South Africa’s transition from apartheid, may be bolstered by influential allies, including billionaire Johann Rupert and golfer Ernie Els, who helped facilitate the meeting with Trump.