South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet with United States President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
The visit aims to reduce tensions and reset diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The meeting comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Pretoria. In a statement, South Africa confirmed the visit and said it would allow the two leaders to discuss key issues affecting both countries, including regional and global matters.
READ ALSO: Ford: Car Manufacturer Recalls 274,000 Navigator And Expedition SUVs
Tensions have grown in recent months over several South African policies. These include Pretoria’s legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice and a new land reform law.
The law seeks to correct apartheid-era land ownership by allowing the state to expropriate land without compensation.
The Trump administration has strongly criticised this move, saying it targets white landowners.
READ ALSO: Mom dies just after watching her son get married in the ICU: ‘I got one wedding to go to’
Relations worsened this week after the US government accepted 49 white South African refugees, saying they face persecution. The group, mostly Afrikaners, was resettled in the US under a rare exception.
President Trump, who was known for restricting refugee entries during his first term, approved the decision, calling it a response to what he described as threats against the white minority in South Africa.
South African officials rejected these claims. They said the move was based on false narratives and could damage the country’s image. Deputy President Paul Mashatile said South Africa is a peaceful country where people of all races live and work together.
He added that Ramaphosa would invite Trump to visit South Africa to see the reality for himself.
The upcoming meeting in Washington is expected to focus on clearing misunderstandings and building a better working relationship.
READ ALSO: Floyd Mayweather Reacts To Rumors About His Financial Issues
Both governments have said they are open to cooperation, but the meeting will test how far they are willing to go to restore trust.
