Mixed reaction in Washington to Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump
Ramaphosa is attempting to reset the relationship with the United States.
President Cyril Ramaphosa meeting with his delegation at the South African Embassy on 20 May 2025, ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump. Picture: Elmond Jiyane/GCIS
WASHINGTON - As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to enter the Oval Office, carrying South Africa's fortunes on his shoulders, some in Washington have already warned that it will be a futile exercise.
While most signs of anxiety have dissipated in the South African camp, some locals believe not enough was done to lobby for support ahead of a meeting with his counterpart, Donald Trump.
READ: Ramaphosa assures SA's sovereignty will remain intact ahead of Trump meeting
Ramaphosa is attempting to reset the relationship with the United States.
The general consensus in Washington is that relations between South Africa and the US are at an all-time low.
But for some, like Daniel Runde, Senior Vice President at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, this meeting is already off to a bad start as the necessary lobbying wasn't done.
"South Africa almost has no friends in Washington today; nobody will stand up for them," Runde said.
READ: Ramaphosa ready for his meeting with Trump to reset US-SA relations
And while some argue South Africa had no business being in Washington yet, Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security, disagrees, saying a reset is needed asap.
"The relationship has been in a free fall and would remain in a free fall if there was no engagement. It may not fix things, but may be the first step, the first step towards better bilateral relations."
President Ramaphosa and his US counterpart will meet at 11:30 am – which is 5:30 local time at the White House.