President Cyril Ramaphosa is on a significant working visit to the United States this week, which will include a meeting with US President Donald Trump. The trip comes at a delicate time for SA-US relations.
Analysts and political figures are closely watching, hoping Ramaphosa will robustly defend South Africa’s sovereignty while seeking to preserve and enhance economic ties.
The visit unfolds against a backdrop of recent controversy, including US President Trump’s claims of “white genocide” in South Africa and the granting of refugee status to a group of 49 Afrikaners by the US.
Political analyst Sandile Swana, speaking to Salaamedia on Monday, voiced concerns that Ramaphosa might bow to US pressure, particularly concerning the resumption of USAID and the continuation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Swana emphasized the importance of South Africa maintaining its autonomy, stating that USAID and AGOA are “complicated issues” that “seek to compromise the sovereignty of South Africa”. He further argued, “We have been trading with the United States on merit since 1871. Very lately the Americans offered, without us asking, the AGOA programme which is a small percentage of the trade that we’ve done for centuries.”
Swana cautioned, “On the basis of this little trade that they offered us under AGOA, they make all other kinds of cultural, political and military demands that we must comply to. I would hope that Ramaphosa is not going to be dragged into that trap.”
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Navigating trade and misinformation
A key priority for the South African delegation, which includes Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, is to secure trade relations, particularly in agriculture, and to counter narratives deemed harmful to SA-US relations. Steenhuisen stated his priority would be “securing trade relations between the US and SA, particularly in agriculture, to protect jobs, grow the economy, and expand employment opportunities.”
South Africa is reportedly seeking a bilateral trade deal in the agricultural sector. The US accounts for 4% of SA’s agricultural exports, which totalled $13.7 billion in 2024, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA.
The United States is a significant economic partner for South Africa. According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), total U.S. goods trade with South Africa was $20.5 billion in 2024. U.S. goods exports to South Africa in 2024 were $5.8 billion, while U.S. goods imports from South Africa were $14.7 billion.
The South African Embassy in the US notes that the US is a major export market for value-added products and a significant source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Bilateral trade increased to US$21.4 billion in 2021. Major South African exports to the U.S. include precious stones and metals, motor vehicles, iron and steel. AGOA has been instrumental, reportedly creating approximately 62,000 jobs in South Africa.
The discussions are also expected to address US concerns and misinformation regarding South Africa’s land reform policies and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). Swana commented on this, saying, “The issue of America interfering with BEE laws, Expropriation Act, NHI … is a big problem.
He added, regarding the “white genocide” claims, “The Americans have never objected to that. It’s a vague argument that has been raised by Trump to try and paint South Africa with the same brush that Israel is properly guilty of.” Swana believes sensitive topics like genocide allegations should be handled in appropriate international forums: “The best place to discuss genocide is the ICJ and the United Nations, not in Trump’s office.”
The visit is seen as a critical juncture for SA-US relations, with the South African government aiming to reaffirm its commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership while asserting its sovereign right to determine its domestic policies. The outcomes of the meetings this week will be closely scrutinized for their impact on future diplomatic and economic engagements between the two nations.
Image: Good Authority
