SA President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump
Trump cited his ongoing disapproval of the country’s internal policies and repeated long-discredited allegations concerning the treatment of white citizens.
When asked during an airborne press briefing whether he would personally attend the gathering of world leaders, Trump responded: “Probably not. I may send someone in my place. There are serious issues in South Africa, and frankly, I’ve had concerns for a while.”
He went on to criticise what he described as “very dangerous policies” and made vague references to violence in the country. “A lot of people are dying there,” he added, without offering evidence.
The remarks mark a continuation of Trump’s long-standing stance on South Africa, which came into sharper focus during his second term. Much of his commentary has echoed controversial narratives promoted by tech billionaire Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and has previously drawn attention to alleged racial tensions involving the white minority.
The Trump administration has been openly hostile toward South Africa’s land reform efforts, particularly a land expropriation law enacted in early January. The legislation, which seeks to address apartheid-era land dispossession, has been met with fierce resistance from the White House, which claims it threatens property rights—an assertion South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has repeatedly refuted.
Tensions between the two leaders reached a boiling point during a White House meeting in May, when Trump unexpectedly showed reporters a video he claimed depicted violent acts against white South Africans. This move stunned observers and strained diplomatic ties.
Citing what it termed “credible threats to minority communities,” the Trump administration has since extended asylum to select members of the Afrikaner population. The White House also imposed steep 30% tariffs on South African imports starting August 1, further souring relations.
Earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio opted to skip a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting held in Johannesburg,
