As South African President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington, the stakes are high for a historic summit that could reset relations between the two nations. With tensions escalating over ideological differences, geopolitical alliances, and domestic policy conflicts, Ramaphosa seeks to present a new trade framework to govern trade between the US and South Africa.
The scheduled meeting between Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump on May 21 in Washington has raised concerns about the future of relations between the two nations. The visit comes at a time when tensions have been escalating due to ideological differences, geopolitical alliances, and domestic policy conflicts.
The United States and South Africa established diplomatic relations in 1994, following the end of apartheid.
The two countries have since strengthened their ties through trade agreements and cooperation on issues like climate change and healthcare.
In 2020, the US and South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation, marking a significant step towards increased military collaboration.
The US is one of South Africa's largest trading partners, with bilateral trade valued at over $10 billion in 2022.
Relations between the United States and South Africa have deteriorated rapidly since early 2025, driven by issues such as Trump‘s recent trade policies, which have hit South Africa hard, as well as cuts in US aid for development projects. Additionally, Trump‘s claims of ‘genocide‘ against white South Africans have been met with denial from the Ramaphosa government, which maintains that white people are not discriminated against in South Africa.
Ramaphosa will seek to present a new trade framework that governs trade between the two countries, particularly in the post-AGOA period. The Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a trade agreement between the US and eligible sub-Saharan African countries, which allows African nations to export products to the US duty-free. Trump‘s recent trade tariffs have signaled the end of the AGOA, which could have a substantial impact on South Africa’s automotive industry.
South Africa’s leadership of the G20 this year has elevated its global importance, making it reasonable for both sides to meet in Washington. Ramaphosa may try to convince Trump to join the summit in November in Johannesburg, which the US president plans to boycott. Silke notes that the issue of refugee flight of white Afrikaners to the US is not a major focus of the talks.
The meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump will be a complex dance of diplomacy, with both sides seeking to reset their strained relationship. While some analysts warn that the visit could turn hostile or confrontational, others see it as an opportunity for personal diplomacy and forging a personal relationship that can help resolve issues such as trade tariffs. Ultimately, it comes down to doing business, and South Africa has leverage on critical minerals that could be supplied to the US.
Many South Africans are skeptical about Ramaphosa‘s trip, knowing Trump‘s way of dealing with his opponents. However, a smaller segment believes that Ramaphosa should use this opportunity to redress South Africa’s image and define its own diplomacy. The outcome of the meeting remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the future of relations between the United States and South Africa hangs in the balance.
