Ramaphosa and Trump: A pivotal meeting welcomed by the De Klerk Foundation

The FW de Klerk Foundation has expressed strong support for the upcoming meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump, saying both leaders are expected to deal with significant challenges facing the world.

Ramaphosa arrived in Washington on Monday evening and his meeting with Trump is expected to take place on Wednesday. 

The foundation said the meeting should be welcomed and supported, having already advocated for constructive dialogue between the Union Buildings and the White House in an open letter released earlier this year. 

Trump has taken aim at South Africa after he was elected for the second term, citing disapproval of its land reform policy and the country’s genocide case against US ally, Israel, before the International Court of Justice. 

His administration cut funding to the country in February and last week granted refugee status to a group of White Afrikaners it said were facing racial discrimination and persecution - a claim the government has denied. 

Upon his arrival in the US, the Presidency said the purpose of the visit was to reset and retrieve bilateral relations between SA and the US. 

“In this regard, the visit will focus specifically on reframing bilateral, economic and commercial relations,” read a statement.

FW de Klerk Foundation believes that matters that benefit both South Africa and the US should be focused on, rather than trivial domestic issues. 

The foundation said the spotlight should be particularly focused on trade and matters related to strategic geo-political cooperation. 

South Africa remains the US’s largest trading partner in Africa, with trade between the two countries amounting to more than $20 billion. 

Approximately 600 US companies are operating in South Africa and they employ up to 200,000 people. 

The US also imports several important minerals from SA, these include platinum, gold, chromium, manganese and various other ores and slag. 

According to the Minerals Council, platinum group metals form a significant part of SA’s exports to the US, such as iron and steel. 

“These exports amounted to approximately US$10.94 million in 2024. The Trump administration has also exempted these minerals from his tariff hikes,” said the foundation. 

The foundation said Ramaphosa also plays a highly strategic role behind the scenes. 

It said Ramaphosa’s ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as the fact he has the ear of Iran and Hamas, puts him in a unique position to work with the US to help peace to conflict-torn parts of the world. 

“He has already touched on these issues in an earlier telephone conversation with President Trump. In addition, let’s not forget his good relationship with President Xi Jinping of China,” said the foundation, adding that Ramaphosa should use these “trump” cards to help promote world peace and to help negotiate a global trade regime.

“The world faces significant challenges. Poverty, underdevelopment, famine, crime, international drug cartels and terrorist groups pose major risks to world peace and stability. Statesmanship and visionary leadership are needed to tackle these challenges together. This is what both South Africans and Americans expect from their political leaders.”

Ramaphosa will be accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, as well as Mcebisi Jonas, who is the Special Envoy to the US.

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