US visit came amid ‘increasing strain’ between two countries, Ramaphosa says

President Cyril Ramaphosa says his recent visit to the US to meet with his counterpart, President Donald Trump, came at a time when relations between the two countries were under “increasing strain”, mainly due to disinformation.

Ramaphosa made the remarks in his weekly newsletter, From the Desk of the President, on Monday.

The president met with Trump last Wednesday. He was joined by four ministers, renowned businessman Johann Rupert and golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

Trump proved to be a political rottweiler for Afrikaners and white farmers and shifted the focus from what began as a cordial discussion with Ramaphosa, but veered sharply off course to farm attacks in South Africa, ambushing the president.

Trump visit

Ramaphosa said he and his delegation went to Washington to meet with Trump in the Oval Office to establish a “basis for greater economic cooperation and to address some of the challenges” that have recently arisen in relations between our two countries.

“Our visit came at a time when US-SA relations have come under increasing strain, largely as a result of misinformation peddled by fringe groups in our two countries, including a false narrative about a so-called genocide and an orchestrated campaign of violence against white farmers.”

Ramaphosa said in this context, it was critical for Pretoria to engage directly with the US administration to correct misinformation and provide a true account of the progress “we have made as a democracy and the many and complex challenges we still face.”

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“While this was a necessary conversation, the overarching aim of our visit was to deepen our strategic economic partnership with the us as our second-largest trading partner,” writes Ramaphosa. 

Issues to be addressed

Ramaphosa said the US is a key export market for South African goods, which include motor vehicles, agricultural products and, increasingly, critical minerals. 

During the bilateral talks which played out before the media, Trump showed videos of EFF leader Julius Malema to support his false belief in genocide against whites in the country, asking why Malema has not been arrested.

On Saturday, after delivering the eulogy at the funeral of ANC Women’s League deputy president Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe, Ramaphosa was asked by a reporter about Trump’s issues.

“I am at a funeral, and we are here to mourn, and I would prefer that I’m allowed to mourn. All these issues will be duly addressed properly.”

Malema not ‘intimidated’

Despite the unsubstantiated claims made by Trump about genocide in South Africa, Ramaphosa, after meeting, said the talks with Trump were fruitful.

“We were able to have a robust engagement with Trump, and it was also good to have a number of members of the delegation to field either a number of questions or make comments. So, that in my view, it was really good.”

On Sunday, while addressing EFF supporters during a rally in Ward 16, Koppies, in the Free State, on Africa Day, Malema said he doesn’t fear for his life and is not intimidated by the US or its president, Donald Trump.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Donald Trump ambushes Cyril Ramaphosa in Oval Office