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President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday at 17:30 (SA time) at the Oval Office, as both leaders seek to mend strained ties between the two countries.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of:
- US aid cuts impacting HIV/AIDS programmes in South Africa,
- Trade uncertainty over the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA),
- Controversial resettlements of white Afrikaners granted asylum in the US
Official schedule (SA times):
- 17:30: Trump welcomes Ramaphosa at the White House
- 17:35: Signing of the visitors’ book
- 17:45: Working lunch begins
- 18:45: Bilateral meeting with media access
- 19:30: Ramaphosa departs the White House
South Africa delegation
- Ministers: Ronald Lamola (International Relations), Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (Presidency), Ebrahim Patel (Trade & Industry), John Steenhuisen (Agriculture)
- Business & Civil Society:
- Johann Rupert – Richemont & Remgro Chair
- Adrian Gore – BUSA Vice President
- Zingiswa Losi – COSATU President
- Additional guests: Golf legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen (invited to appeal to Trump’s well-known love for golf)
US delegation
- VP JD Vance
- Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
- Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau
- Chief of Staff Susie Wiles
- Special Government Employee Elon Musk
- Dr. Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor on Africa & Middle East
Background
The meeting is aimed at repairing diplomatic relations and securing continued trade benefits under AGOA.
Discussions may also touch on:
- South Africa’s ties with Hamas and Iran
- Starlink negotiations with Elon Musk
- Economic cooperation and potential US investments
Meanwhile, Cyril Ramaphosa joined the 2025 Budget Speech virtually earlier on Wednesday before continuing with the historic diplomatic visit.
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