Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump: Key topics for their upcoming meeting at the White House

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to sit down with US President Donald Trump later on Wednesday, where the two heads of State will deliberate on a range of topics.

Ramaphosa, accompanied by Minister of Agriculture and DA leader John Steenhuisen, Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, and new special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas, arrived in Washington DC earlier this week.

While it has been reported that the meeting will be held in-camera, speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Centre for African Diplomacy and Leadership at the University of Johannesburg, Professor Oscar Van Heerden said, knowing Trump, there are bound to be cameras. 

What will Ramaphosa and Trump talk about?

Chief Executive Officer of Everest Wealth, Thys van Zyl, says this visit is an attempt to restore diplomatic ties, and discussions will likely focus on trade relations, financial assistance, and investment opportunities.

Afrikaners in the US

Just over one week ago, 49 Afrikaners boarded a US-chartered plane from the OR Tambo International Airport and travelled to America under Trump's refugee program. Trump initiated the program on the premise that a genocide was taking place in SA and Afrikaners, mainly farmers, were being targeted. Despite numerous articles debunking this, the program went ahead and the US welcomed the 49 Afrikaners with open arms.

Tariff and funding cuts

Last month, Trump announced reciprocal tariffs, sending markets and the trade world into disarray. According to the White House, Trump imposed additional tariffs on China. Locally, among the hardest hit sectors were the SA auto industry and agriculture. However, Trump has since suspended the tariff increase for 90 days.

Van Zyl believes Ramaphosa will need to demonstrate strong diplomatic skill in this meeting, to either secure SA’s continued participation in AGOA or establish new agreements that shield the country from higher tariffs.

On the matter of funding cuts, local NGOs and the country's health sector have been hardest hit, seeing the closure of much-needed facilities.

SA's case against Israel at ICJ

It has been widely reported that Trump "is punishing SA" for its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Despite Trump's actions, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said SA will not compromise its international relations policy concerning the ICJ matter and its outlook on human rights.

Two weeks ago, SA formally presented its case before the ICJ, where it accused Israel of serious violations of international law and human rights in the Palestinian territories, especially Gaza.

Ukraine, Russian conflict

Ramaphosa and Trump are also expected to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As it stands, Trump has spoken to both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia's Vladimir Putin in a bid to reach a ceasefire. Since Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, SA has maintained its neutrality, calling for talks between both sides. Last month Zelensky was in SA for talks with Ramaphosa however, he had to cut his visit short and return to his country following a fresh wave of violence. 

Elon Musk's Starlink and Teslas in SA

Could Ramaphosa and Trump discuss Elon Musk's business interests expanding to SA?

Musk is a close ally of Trump's and has been vocal on his disdain for SA's politics.

IOL reported that the government is reportedly looking at ways around its Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws in order to launch Starlink in SA. This comes after Musk, born in SA, claimed that he cannot launch in his home country because he is not black.

It has been further reported that a possible proposal put forward by Ramaphosa, could involve Tesla receiving preferential tariffs on its imports into South Africa in return for establishing electric vehicle charging stations in the country.

So, it is widely anticipated that Trump could do to Ramaphosa what he did to Zelensky during a recent visit where the men got into a shouting match. Stay tuned to IOL for regular updates and reaction ahead of the sit-down talk and what happens next.

seanne.rall@iol.co.za

IOL