In a tense meeting, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa faced an abrupt shift in conversation initiated by President Trump regarding false claims of white genocide in South Africa. While Ramaphosa aimed to discuss trade agreements, Trump confronted him with allegations of targeted violence against white farmers. Despite the surprise, Ramaphosa firmly denied the claims, emphasizing that crime affects all South Africans regardless of race. Supported by a diverse team of advisors, he maintained a focus on the broader issues of safety and cooperation between South Africa and the U.S.
At the meeting between Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa in the White House on Wednesday, the South African president began by focusing heavily on trade and investments, highlighting the two countries' years of cooperation, in keeping with statements made by South Africa's presidency that Ramaphosa would present a trade deal to the US.
But Trump responded with a well-prepared redirect that South African media and analysts described as an ambush and a move that blindsided Ramaphosa.
Ready with printouts of news articles about alleged white victims of killings in South Africa and a video of firebrand opposition politician Julius Malema singing Kill the Boer, Trump insisted that white farmers were being targeted and murdered – an assertion Ramaphosa politely yet firmly denied.
We have a real safety problem in South Africa, and I don't think anyone wants to candy-coat that, said John Steenhuisen, the agriculture minister and a member of the Democratic Alliance.
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