South Africa’s President Champions Africa’s Free Trade and Climate Action at UN

In a pointed address to the United Nations General Assembly, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized the weaponization of trade, indirectly challenging US President Donald Trump’s recent 30% tariffs on South African exports. Ramaphosa argued that such unilateral actions and “economic coercion” destabilize the global economy and harm nations. He also positioned the African Continental Free Trade Area as Africa’s economic cornerstone and championed multilateral cooperation and solidarity. Ramaphosa’s vision stood in stark contrast to the skepticism expressed by US President Donald Trump, who earlier questioned the UN’s purpose and dismissed climate change as a “hoax.” Ramaphosa’s speech highlighted a fundamental divide in global leadership philosophy, emphasizing climate action and institutional cooperation over unilateralism.

Daily Maverick