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Ramaphosa Heads to White House for Bilateral Talks with Trump

The meeting on May 21 aims to address tensions over land reform, Afrikaner refugees, and suspended U.S. aid.

FILE - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the opening session of the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay,File)
Young Afrikaner refugees from South Africa holding American flags arrive, Monday, May 12, 2025, at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Afrikaner refugees from South Africa, at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va., on May 12.
President Donald Trump applauds on stage at the Al Udeid Air Base, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Overview

  • South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on May 21 to discuss strained bilateral relations.
  • The Trump administration has fast-tracked refugee status for 59 Afrikaner farmers, claiming they face persecution, a charge South Africa denies.
  • South Africa's Expropriation Act, allowing land seizures without compensation, has sparked U.S. criticism despite no reported confiscations under the law so far.
  • Trump's executive order in February cut all U.S. aid to South Africa, citing alleged anti-white policies and disagreements over foreign policy, including South Africa's stance on Israel and Hamas.
  • The upcoming meeting is framed as an opportunity to reset ties, with both sides emphasizing the importance of their economic and strategic partnership.