![President Cyril Ramaphosa held a bilateral meeting with President Karin Keller-Sutter of Switzerland on the margins of the first meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Governors in Cape Town. [Photo:GCIS]](https://theafricadailypost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/54351865436_e10f3b78ae_k-860x583.jpg)
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed a desire to negotiate a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve a dispute over the country’s land reform policy and its stance in a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Ramaphosa’s remarks followed a move by Trump earlier this month to cut U.S. financial aid to South Africa, citing disapproval of the country’s approach to land reform and its involvement in the ICJ case, which challenges U.S. ally Israel.
At a conference hosted by Goldman Sachs in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa said he aimed to calm tensions caused by the executive order, adding that he hoped to travel to Washington to improve relations. He stressed his goal of negotiating a meaningful deal with the U.S. on various issues, including trade, diplomacy, and politics, without needing to “explain” South Africa’s position.
While South Africa is not heavily dependent on U.S. aid, there are concerns that its preferential trade status under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) could be at risk under Trump.
