South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Meet with Donald Trump Amid Strained Relations

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, as part of his efforts to reset strained relations between the two countries. The meeting comes as Trump has accused South Africa of fomenting a white "genocide," a claim that South African officials have vehemently denied. In an attempt to ease tensions, Ramaphosa has extended an invitation to golf enthusiasts Ernie Els and Retief Goosen to join him for the meeting. This gesture is part of a broader strategy to appeal to Trump's love of golf, which has been successful in the past, such as in his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February.

Key Takeaways:

• The meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump is part of a broader effort to reset relations between the two countries, which have been strained due to Trump's accusations of a white "genocide" in South Africa.
• Ramaphosa has invited golf enthusiasts Ernie Els and Retief Goosen to join him for the meeting, in an attempt to appeal to Trump's love of golf.
• The South African government is concerned that the US will not renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) when it expires in September, which would end tariff-free access to the US for goods including citrus fruits, nuts, and cars.
• Businessman JohannRupert, South Africa's richest man, will also join the trip, and has known Trump since 1996.
• The delegation will also discuss trade deals and the potential for South Africa to offer Elon Musk a deal to bring his Starlink internet service to the country.

Statistics:

• The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is set to expire in September, ending tariff-free access to the US for goods including citrus fruits, nuts, and cars.
• The US has cut aid to South Africa and welcomed a plane-load of white South Africans as refugees, claiming they have been victims of racial discrimination.
• Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, the golf enthusiasts invited to join the meeting, are both white South Africans.
• Elon Musk, the South African-born billionaire, has railed against affirmative action laws that would have required him to give up 30% of equity to non-white investors.

Sources:

• Nardus Engelbrecht, "Cyril Ramaphosa touches down in US for Trump meeting," Independent Online, no date provided.
• Bloomberg, "South Africa to Offer Elon Musk Deal to Bring Starlink to Country," March 25, 2024.
• News24, "Rupert says he convinced Trump to keep AGOA," March 25, 2024.
• AP, "Cyril Ramaphosa gestures as he speaks behind a lectern," no date provided.