PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Thursday that he will “meet soon” with U.S. President Donald Trump to address the growing strain in relations between the two nations, adding that the two leaders also agreed on the urgency of ending the war in Ukraine.
In a statement shared via social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Ramaphosa revealed that he had spoken directly with Trump in a call aimed at calming tensions and setting the stage for diplomatic talks on multiple contentious issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, U.S. sanctions on South Africa, and recent accusations concerning Israel’s war in Gaza.
“We both agreed that the war [in Ukraine] should be brought to an end as soon as possible to stop further unnecessary deaths,” Ramaphosa posted. “We also agreed to meet soon to address various matters regarding U.S.-South Africa relations.”
Though he did not specify the date or venue for the meeting, Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of “fostering good relations” between the two countries amid a flurry of political and economic confrontations since Trump returned to the White House earlier this year.
U.S.-South Africa Relations Hit Rough Patch Under Trump
Since his inauguration, President Trump has taken a far more aggressive stance toward Pretoria, publicly criticizing South Africa’s foreign policy and taking concrete steps that have impacted the country’s economy and diplomatic standing.
Tensions spiked when South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing the country of committing genocide in Gaza. The ICJ later ruled that Israel’s military campaign constituted a “plausible case of genocide”, prompting condemnation from Israel’s allies, including the United States.
In retaliation, Trump signed an executive order halting all financial aid to South Africa, including critical support for the nation’s public health programs such as HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. The move sent shockwaves through South Africa’s health sector, which has long depended on American funding through initiatives like PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief).
In addition, Trump slapped a 37% tariff on South African exports to the U.S., citing unfair trade practices and what he termed “hostile diplomatic behavior.” While the tariffs were temporarily paused for 90 days, Pretoria remains concerned about their long-term implications for local industries, especially agriculture and manufacturing.
“These measures are deeply harmful and undermine decades of progress in trade and health partnerships between our two nations,” a senior official in South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) told local press.
Trump’s Controversial Claims on Land Reform
Trump also reignited a sensitive domestic issue by accusing South Africa’s government of illegally expropriating land from white Afrikaner farmers under the country’s new Expropriation Act — legislation that permits the state to acquire land for public use, including without compensation in some cases.
Though land reform has been a long-standing demand from South Africa’s majority Black population, Trump portrayed the effort as a “land grab” and offered to resettle Afrikaner farmers in the United States, a proposal that sparked outrage from South African leaders and civil society.
“This is not only an affront to South Africa’s sovereignty, but it dangerously inflames racial tensions,” said Justice Minister Ronald Lamola in response to Trump’s remarks.
The controversy escalated further when the U.S. expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, last month after he sharply criticized Trump’s policies in public forums. Rasool had accused Trump of “undermining global peace” and called his sanctions “a weaponization of diplomacy.”
G20 Summit Uncertainty
The rift between the two countries also casts uncertainty over the upcoming G20 summit, scheduled to be held in Johannesburg this November. Trump has suggested that he may not attend, citing “security concerns” and “ideological hostility” from host officials.
While no final decision has been communicated, such an absence would mark a significant snub to South Africa’s presidency of the G20 this year, and could further isolate the U.S. from multilateral forums where developing nations are increasingly asserting their voices.
“We hope that all G20 member states, including the United States, will participate constructively,” said Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations. “This summit is about collective global solutions, not political grandstanding.”
Zelenskyy Meets Ramaphosa in Pretoria
Ramaphosa’s announcement of his conversation with Trump came on the same day that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited South Africa for a high-level meeting in Pretoria. Zelenskyy, who is on a diplomatic tour of African nations, is seeking broader support for his country’s position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and has urged African leaders to pressure Moscow to end the war.
During the bilateral talks at the Union Buildings, Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s neutral stance on the conflict but said he remained committed to facilitating peace efforts, a position he also communicated to Trump.
“We have always advocated for diplomacy and negotiation, and we will continue to do so, whether in Ukraine, Gaza, or anywhere conflict brings suffering to innocent people,” Ramaphosa stated.
Looking Ahead: A Pivotal Diplomatic Test
The anticipated meeting between Trump and Ramaphosa could prove pivotal in determining the future of U.S.-South Africa relations. Analysts say both leaders have much to gain — and much to lose — from the encounter.
“This meeting presents an opportunity to reset the tone,” said Dr. Sipho Mantula, a foreign policy expert at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs. “But it will require mutual respect, clear objectives, and a willingness to move beyond ideological confrontation.”
As the world watches, and with key diplomatic events on the horizon, Ramaphosa’s outreach to Trump marks a critical effort to stabilize a historic partnership — one tested by politics, policy, and global upheaval.
