From ICJ disputes to trade tariffs: Inside the widening gulf in SA-US diplomacy

The diplomatic relationship between South Africa and the United States (US) has continued to hang in the balance following a rift over policies.

This, despite attempts by South African authorities to get on the same page with Washington for several months.

Although South Africa’s visit to the White House in May appeared to be promising; the two countries have ended the year off on the same foot they started when US President Donald Trump returned to office.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa had the first word when he and the South African delegation met with US officials in Washington.

In the room with the heads of state was International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Trade Minister Parks Tau, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, champion golfer Ernie Els, billionaire Johann Rupert and Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) president Zingiswa Losi.

Above all else on the agenda was resetting bilateral ties between Pretoria and Washington.

During the meeting Ramaphosa’s tone remained upbeat.

Trump tried to have the last word when he repeated false claims of a white genocide in South Africa.

To South Africa’s surprise, Trump even went as far as dimming the lights in room and displaying a presentation on a projector using Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema to drive the narrative of violence and persecution.

The South African delegation was later criticised for failing to defend itself against Trump although some analysts described it a strategic move by Ramaphosa to douse the flames.

By the end of its South Africa refused to bend to pressure to revise some of its domestic and foreign policies to appease the us administration doubling down on its transformation agenda.

In spite of the tensions South Africa still hopes for favourable trade relations with the US.