South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in a bid to ease growing tensions between their two countries. According to a statement from Pretoria, the meeting aims to reset and strengthen the bilateral relationship, which has been under strain over multiple policy disputes.
One major source of discord is the Trump administration’s decision to resettle white Afrikaners in the United States, citing alleged persecution in South Africa — a claim that Pretoria firmly denies. South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile dismissed the allegations, stating, “There’s no genocide here. We are beautiful, happy people, black and white working and living together,” and accused Trump of being misled.
Tensions have also escalated over South Africa’s land expropriation law and its legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, both of which have drawn sharp criticism from Washington. Earlier this year, the U.S. expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, after he condemned Trump’s MAGA movement during an online forum.
The meeting will also focus on trade, with Ramaphosa expected to raise concerns over recent U.S. tariff threats affecting key South African exports like citrus and automobiles. Trump’s April tariff plan has been paused for 90 days, but uncertainty looms over long-term trade relations.
Ramaphosa’s visit, lasting from Monday through Thursday, comes as both countries seek to recalibrate their strategic engagement amid mounting political and economic friction.
