South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says his Oval Office meeting with US President Donald Trump turned into an “ambush,” after Trump presented disputed claims that white South Africans face widespread violence and discrimination. Ramaphosa rejected the allegations, defended land reform aimed at correcting apartheid-era inequalities, and stressed South Africa’s nonaligned foreign policy amid global tensions. He also labeled the US administration’s resulting policies—which include refugee pathways for white South Africans and sweeping 30% tariffs—as racist. Despite this deep diplomatic freeze, Ramaphosa insists that quiet trade negotiations remain active between the two nations. While Trump’s rhetoric serves to rally his conservative domestic base, his actions have impacted South Africa’s economy. In the long term, Trump’s move will drive Pretoria closer to the US’s geopolitical rivals, such as China, Russia, and Iran.
The New York Times
