Ramaphosa-Trump talks set to test future of South Africa-US relations
With citrus exports and refugee policy on the line, the high-level visit may reshape diplomatic and trade ties between Pretoria and Washington.
SOUTH AFRICA – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in Washington, marking a key moment in relations between the two countries.
The talks come at a tense moment, as the US prepares to raise tariffs on South African citrus exports and diplomatic tensions rise over America’s resettlement of white South African refugees.
Ramaphosa will be joined by key ministers: Ronald Lamola (International Relations), Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (Presidency), John Steenhuisen (Agriculture), and Parks Tau (Trade and Industry).
The US delegation includes Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Elon Musk, who now leads the Department of Government Efficiency.
Trade talks are expected to dominate the visit. South Africa is America’s second-largest trade partner in Africa, and pressure is building over a planned tariff increase on citrus exports from 10 to 30 percent after July.
“This is crunch time for our growers,” said Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers Association (CGA). “We are pushing hard to ship as much fruit as possible before the higher tariff hits. But longer term, we need fair access.”
Ntshabele said growers remain hopeful that ongoing discussions between South African officials and their US counterparts will result in a workable deal. “There is a strong case for keeping the citrus trade flowing. It’s good for both countries.”
Tensions over refugees and land reform
The visit comes shortly after the US accepted the first group of 49 white South Africans under a special refugee program. This sparked sharp responses back home. Speaking at the Nampo Harvest Day event in the Free State, Ramaphosa dismissed claims that Afrikaans-speaking farmers face threats.
“There is no persecution of these families,” he said. “They are not fleeing violence. They simply refuse to be part of post-Apartheid transformation. They are cowards.”
His comments caused backlash from some quarters. Days later, Deputy President Paul Mashatile seemed to soften the stance while attending a memorial for slain farmers. “The government stands with the farming community, especially regarding fNarm murders,” he said.
The refugee issue is expected to feature heavily in the talks. Trump and some American officials have claimed that white Afrikaners face “genocide.” The South African government firmly denies this, calling such statements inaccurate and misleading.
G20 and Global Stakes
The meeting also carries global weight. South Africa currently holds the presidency of the G20 and is expected to hand over leadership to the United States later this year. That shift adds further meaning to the talks, which will likely touch on broader international issues.
“We are not just talking about one relationship,” said Minister Lamola. “This visit also sets the tone for South Africa’s place in global leadership over the coming months.”
Observers say the stakes are high, but both sides stand to benefit if the leaders can find common ground.
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