A high-profile meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa took a tense turn on Wednesday.
During the meeting in oval office Trump brought up widely refuted allegations of land seizures and violence against white farmers in South Africa. Additionally, Trump showed newspaper clippings and a video that implied a targeted campaign against white South African farmers.
In response, President Ramaphosa acknowledged concerns but made this remark while remaining composed and diplomatic. “Yes, criminality exists in South Africa. However, Black people make up the majority of victims,” he said.
Following a string of diplomatic snubs, including the U.S. reducing aid, dismissing South Africa’s ambassador, and denouncing Pretoria’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, South Africa made an effort to patch things up with Washington.
In response, President Ramaphosa acknowledged concerns but made this remark while remaining composed and diplomatic. “Yes, criminality exists in South Africa. However, Black people make up the majority of victims,” he said.
Following a string of diplomatic snubs, including the U.S. reducing aid, dismissing South Africa’s ambassador, and denouncing Pretoria’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, South Africa made an effort to patch things up with Washington.
In an effort to show goodwill, Ramaphosa brought well-known white South African golfers to the conference and centered the discussion on commerce. However, Trump centered on the contentious topic of farm attacks and land reform, echoing far-right conspiracy theories, some of which were echoed by South African-born businessman Elon Musk, who was also in attendance.
Following the meeting, Ramaphosa played down the tension and emphasized areas of agreement, including a prospective agreement to buy liquefied natural gas from the United States and cooperation on vital minerals. Nevertheless, he vehemently denied the main charge raised, telling reporters, “There is just no genocide in South Africa.”
