Ramaphosa Awaits Official U.S. Confirmation Following Trump’s Surprise Announcement of Visit
Pretoria/Washington – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is awaiting formal communication from the White House following U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement of an upcoming visit by South African leaders to Washington next week.
In a statement released shortly after Trump’s remarks, the South African Presidency clarified that no official invitation or confirmation had been received regarding the proposed high-level talks.
The potential visit, which Trump suggested would focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties, comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries. Relations have been strained by the U.S. President’s past remarks alleging a “genocide” against white Afrikaner farmers—a claim strongly refuted by South African authorities. The situation further escalated following Washington’s decision to grant refugee status to certain Afrikaner individuals, a move that Pretoria has publicly contested.
If confirmed, the meeting is expected to address key issues including trade relations, bilateral cooperation, and broader geopolitical concerns. Both administrations have expressed interest in restoring mutual understanding and exploring avenues for renewed collaboration.
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