By Zukile Majova
- Ramaphosa said he expects a friendlier meeting with Trump after their White House talks in May.
- South Africa has been invited to the G7 summit even though it is not a member.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will once again shake hands with United States president Donald Trump — this time at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Canada.
The meeting will take place in Kananaskis, Alberta, from 15 to 17 June.
South Africa is not part of the G7 group of wealthy nations, but Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has invited Ramaphosa and other leaders from around the world.
The summit will focus on global issues like peace and security, economic growth and artificial intelligence.
Ramaphosa told journalists on Tuesday that he is hoping for a more “cordial” meeting with Trump after they met at the White House last month.
“I am going to have bilaterals with the chancellor of Germany, with the prime minister of Canada and of course I’ll also be meeting President Trump who we met at the White House,” he said.
He confirmed that trade talks between South Africa and the United States are ongoing. These are led by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau.
“We’ve opened the way for us to engage seriously with the United States,” said Ramaphosa.
He also wants Trump to visit South Africa later this year for the G20 Summit.
Trump told Ramaphosa at their earlier meeting that the G20 “would not be effective” without the United States — which was involved in forming the group.
The two leaders seem to have put aside their past differences, including Trump’s controversial claim that white South African farmers were being targeted in a genocide.
But they have not discussed the war in Gaza. South Africa has accused Israel — a close US ally — of committing genocide in Palestine.
Ramaphosa said the G7 gathering is a chance to promote South Africa as a place for investment and highlight the country’s role as host of the upcoming G20 meeting.
“We want to see great outcomes out of the G7 and we are going to use it as a platform to consolidate what we want to achieve in November when the leaders summit takes place here.”
Pictured above: President Cyril Ramaphosa and US president Donald Trump at the White House in May.
Image source: GCIS
