Ramaphosa to present trade package to US with hopes of striking a good deal: Presidency
Ramaphosa’s meeting with Trump comes amid simmering tensions over trade as well as South Africa’s domestic affairs, like false claims of Afrikaner persecution and land grabs.
FILE: President Cyril Ramaphosa. Picture: @PresidencyZA/X
CAPE TOWN - Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says President Cyril Ramaphosa will present a trade package to the United States (US), with hopes of striking a good deal for the country.
Ramaphosa will travel to the US next week for his highly anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump, to trash out a trade deal and also address false claims of how Afrikaners are facing persecution and violence in the country.
On Thursday, Ntshavheni told a post-Cabinet briefing that they’re optimistic the meeting will be cordial and constructive with positive outcomes for both countries.
Ramaphosa’s meeting with Trump comes amid simmering tensions over trade as well as South Africa’s domestic affairs, like false claims of Afrikaner persecution and land grabs.
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Trade is also a top priority for both countries, and the meeting comes a couple of months after Trump slapped South Africa with a 30% tariff, before suspending it for 90 days.
Minister Ntshavheni says they will make trade offers to the US, one of South Africa’s biggest trading partners.
“There will be a deal. We will offer a package; we will negotiate a package, and that package must be a package that is also beneficial to South Africa.”
But Ntshavheni says South Africa won’t be strong-armed during negotiations.
“You will remember our president has committed that we will not be bullied. We remain in that mode.”
She said in terms of the delegation to the US, President Ramaphosa and The Presidency will make an announcement in due course.