South African president seeks resolution with Trump amid diplomatic tensions

|Published 4:50 PM ET, Saturday March 1, 2025|

Johannesburg: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed a desire to negotiate with U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve tensions arising from South Africa’s land reform policies and its legal actions against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). These issues have led to a strain in U.S.-South Africa relations, with President Trump reducing financial aid to South Africa in response to its land expropriation initiatives and its ICJ case against Israel, a key U.S. ally. ​

President Ramaphosa emphasized his intention to engage constructively with President Trump, proposing a comprehensive agreement encompassing trade, diplomatic, and political matters. While specific details of the proposed deal were not disclosed, Ramaphosa underscored the importance of fostering a positive relationship with the United States. ​

The land reform policy in question aims to address historical disparities in land ownership that persist from the apartheid era, where a significant portion of farmland remains under white ownership despite Black South Africans constituting the majority of the population. The Expropriation Act, signed into law by Ramaphosa, facilitates the state’s ability to expropriate land in the public interest, a move that has garnered both domestic support and international criticism. ​

In addition to land reform, South Africa’s legal action against Israel at the ICJ, accusing it of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, has further complicated its relationship with the United States. The U.S. government has dismissed these allegations as unfounded, leading to heightened diplomatic tensions. ​

President Ramaphosa’s initiative to negotiate directly with President Trump reflects a strategic effort to mitigate these disputes and restore amicable relations between the two nations. The outcome of such negotiations could have significant implications for South Africa’s international standing and its domestic policy implementation.