Ramaphosa wants to enter into 'meaningful deal' with US on 'a whole span of issues'

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa said he wants to enter into a "meaningful deal" with the United States on a range of issues. 

This as relations rapidly sour with the world superpower over misinformation about expropriation and its relationship with certain BRICS members.

Ramaphosa told a Goldman Sachs gathering that it was in South Africa's interest to promote good relations with all countries, including its second-largest trading partner.

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While the US doubles down on its adversarial position towards Russia and China, Ramaphosa said that South Africa's foreign policy remains one of neutrality.

Despite the prevailing tensions that have so far led the US to permanently cancel HIV/AIDS aid to South Africa, Ramaphosa said it’s inevitable that at some point the two countries would have to talk things through. 

He said that when government travels to Washington, it doesn’t want to only have to explain itself to the Trump administration but rather to reap benefits.

"It is my considered view that we've got to make a deal, of one sort or another, on trade issues, diplomatic issues, on political issues, a whole span of issues."

Ramaphosa said that government stood by its foreign policy and was not about to alienate long-standing allies like Russia and China.

"There are moments when people think we side with one against the other, but now, it’s almost becoming more evident that our non-alignment is what is more appreciable."

Ramaphosa said that given trade and other ties, the US would have to engage the South African government at some point, whether it likes it or not, as it also takes over the G20 presidency from South Africa at the end of the year.