2025 Trump–Ramaphosa Oval Office meeting

On May 21, 2025, Donald Trump, the president of the United States and Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, held a contentious bilateral meeting broadcast live in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C.^[1]

Among the topics addressed were the controversial issues of land reform and farm attacks in South Africa, the latter of which Trump claimed disproportionately affected white farmers.^[2] President Trump raised concerns previously expressed by U.S. officials and advocacy groups regarding the expropriation of farmland without compensation. President Ramaphosa responded by reaffirming his government’s commitment to a constitutional and lawful process of land reform aimed at addressing historical inequalities, while ensuring food security and protecting property rights.^[3][4]

The meeting came after President Trump launched the white South African refugee program in February 2025.^[5]

The meeting took place against the backdrop of deteriorating diplomatic relations between the U.S. and South Africa, along with a radical change in American foreign policy under the new Trump administration. Changes in U.S. foreign policy have included many radical overhauls, such as a new “America first” doctrine, prioritizing U.S. interests over multilateral and international cooperation.^[6] This includes the withdrawal from many different international agreements and institutions such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the Iran nuclear deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, etc.^[7] It has also included heightened Economic Protectionism through Trade Wars, imposing high and sweeping tariffs on multiple countries, invoking an unpredictable and confrontational style aimed at unsettling adversaries and allies, making it difficult for nations to predict what the U.S. will do. Trump has threatened tariffs on South African imports of up to 31%. If put into effect, it would have negative consequences on the South African economy.^[8]

On his first day of his second term, President Trump signed an executive order to freeze foreign humanitarian aid to all countries for 90 days and defied a court order to lift the freeze.^[9] In 2023, USAID sent around $400 million in aid to South Africa, focused on healthcare to help prevent and combat Aids/HIV, along with military support.^[10] South Africa has been dealing with copious issues. The “White Genocide” Allegations that Trump and his allies have been repeatedly claiming are taking place in South Africa, a narrative that has been rejected by scholars, experts, and South African officials. Additionally, a land reform policy such as the Expropriation Bill allows the South African government to acquire private land and convert it to public use, with the possibility of no compensation.^[11] It is a highly divisive and sensitive issue within South Africa.

President Ramaphosa of South Africa had many objectives he wished to achieve in this meeting. The primary objectives are to reset the relationship and negotiate a comprehensive trade deal to better address the country's economic and diplomatic challenges.^[12] Arriving at the meeting, he made sure to bring a diverse group of figures, including prominent business leaders and sports figures, to strengthen his case while simultaneously providing himself a shield against a potential confrontation similar to what President Volodymyr Zelensky had encountered two months before in the Oval Office.^[13]

The meeting began amiably with Trump and Ramaphosa discussing golf.^[14] Trump praised South Africa's golf players, while Ramaphosa brought Trump a 14 kg golf book about the country's golf courses.^[14][15][16]

During the meeting, Trump screened a video compilation of utterances made by South African opposition politicians Julius Malema and Jacob Zuma, including the singing of the controversial song Dubul' ibhunu, which was described by certain media outlets as an attempt to "ambush" Ramaphosa.^[17][18][19]

Additionally, Trump brought a stack of newspapers with him about killings in South Africa, which he later gave to Ramaphosa.^[20] President Ramaphosa asserted that South Africa is a democratic multi-party nation, and that only a small minority of political figures have advocated violence.^[21]

After being asked about the Qatari jet that was given to the Pentagon, Trump scolded NBC reporter Peter Alexander for asking an unrelated question and criticized the news network.^[22][23][24] He also stated "Brian Roberts and the people that run that place, they are to be investigated."^[25] Moreover, Ramaphosa said to Trump "I'm sorry I don't have a plane to give you" to which Trump replied "I wish you did."^[26]

Trump also confronted Ramaphosa with false^[27][28] claims of white genocide against Afrikaners in South Africa, which Ramaphosa, together with other members of the South African delegation, strongly denied.^[29]

In the meeting Johann Rupert pleaded "We need technological help. We need Starlink at every little police station, and we need drones".^[30]

The meeting was widely described as contentious and confrontational, with diplomatic and political repercussions for both countries. Despite the tense public exchange, President Ramaphosa has downplayed the meeting's results, stating that closed-door discussions yielded some progress, particularly on trade and ongoing bilateral engagement.^[31] President Ramaphosa has expressed that the trade discussions to have been "fruitful" and later described the visit as "successful," emphasizing commitments to strengthen trade, increase investment, and pursue technological cooperation.^[32][33] President Trump has not rescinded the executive order he placed in January 2025, ending all foreign aid to South Africa.^[34] The two countries are continuing to engage in trade discussions, with President Ramaphosa emphasizing a “reset” on relations.^[12]

The following day, a screenshot Trump displayed during the meeting which he claimed had shown "all white farmers that are being buried", was revealed to have been taken from a Reuters video shot in the Democratic Republic of Congo, following a rebel offensive in Goma.^[35] The video, which is used by Trump, was published by Reuters on February 3 of the same year.^[36]

South Africa

Ramaphosa and delegation

President Ramaphosa was commended by much of the South African press and public for his composure and courtesy under what was widely described as an "ambush".^[37] However, some commentators and opposition figures criticized him for not responding more forcefully to Trump's provocations and for bringing prominent white business and sports figures, which some felt inadvertently reinforced Trump's narrative.^[32][37][38]

Ramaphosa and his delegation consistently refuted claims of "white genocide," emphasizing that violent crimes in South Africa affects all races and that the government remains committed to constitutional, lawful reform.^[32][39] The South African delegation also sought to redirect the conversation toward trade and investment, with Ramaphosa offering a comprehensive trade agreement and proposing expanded business opportunities for U.S. companies, including those owned by Elon Musk.^[40] The meeting sparked debate within South Africa, with some expressing disappointment at the lack of a stronger rebuttal to Trump's claims while others praised Ramaphosa's restraint and diplomatic approach.^[32][38]

Other countries

Governments

• Canada – Prime Minister Mark Carney's office said in a statement: "The Prime Minister and the President discussed the strong and growing partnership between Canada and South Africa, with increased co-operation in wildfire management, technology, and trade and investment."^[41]

• Foreign policy of the second Donald Trump administration
• South Africa–United States relations
• South African farm attacks