President Cyril Ramaphosa’s upcoming visit to the US is expected to be a high-stakes encounter with President Donald Trump, with Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen joining the delegation to help negotiate for the continuation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The meeting aims to reset strained relations between the two countries and secure a favorable trade deal.
Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen, who is also the DA leader, will be joined by Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and International Relations and Minister Ronald Lamola.
New special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas is also part of the team.
Steenhuisen’s spokesperson Charity McCord on Sunday confirmed that Ramaphosa and his delegation were already en-route and would be landing in the US on Sunday evening.
However McCord could not divulge what Steenhuisen’s focus and interests would be.
“The minister is going in his capacity as the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development not as party leader.
“I can’t get into too much detail because he is going in his capacity as a minister…but he is most likely going to discuss issues pertaining to agriculture,” McCord said.
Sources within the government confirmed that the strategic choice to select Steenhuisen was because agriculture was the biggest trade sector with the US and he would likely negotiate to save the AGOA deal.
“First, taking a white minister that is part of your cabinet is clever…remember the biggest issue that has caused tensions between South Africa and the US is the lie that the government wants to steal farms owned by Afrikaners.
“With Steenhuisen going there he will debunk that myth…but also he will most likely be focused on trying to save AGOA.
AGOA provides South Africa with duty-free access to the US market for most of its exports, but its future hangs in the balance.
Steenhuisen believes the US tariff announcements imply AGOA’s cancellation, and South Africa needs to prepare for this scenario.
Tau said if South Africa did not get the AGOA renewal, it would impact the country’s competitiveness, and consequences would be job losses and business struggling in the current economic environment.
Steenhuisen will play a crucial role in the negotiations, also focusing on agricultural exports and trade agreements.
“America is one of our largest markets, and we need to mend fences,” Steenhuisen said, emphasising the importance of bilateral trade agreements.
According to sources Ramaphosa will enter the White House armed with a comprehensive trade deal, which includes agriculture, gas, automotive, minerals, and reciprocals.
The deal aims to give the US greater access to the South African market, potentially replacing AGOA.
However Steenhuisen has highlighted the need for a backup plan, suggesting diversification and negotiating deals with other countries.
The meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump comes amid strained diplomatic relations, with the US criticising South Africa’s Expropriation Bill and making unsubstantiated claims of genocide against white farmers.
Their meeting will also come days after 59 Afrikaners left the country and entered the US, after being granted refugee status by the Trump administration.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said he expects a “robust” meeting but insists Ramaphosa will not back down on his assertion that no genocide is happening in South Africa.
“The President is not worried about any potential hostile reception. There is a level of decorum and courtesy that heads of states extend to one another,” Magwenya said.
Minister of Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said President Cyril Ramaphosa expects a “level of decorum” when he engages in high-level talks with US President Donald Trump.
Ntshavheni said that even with Ramaphosa and Trump differing on issues around trade and South African domestic affairs, Ramaphosa does not anticipate any mistreatment or embarrassment when the two meet in Washington.
Ntshavheni also emphasised that Ramaphosa was attending the meeting at the White House after a formal invitation.
“In terms of our expectations, we are not going to the US alone. President Trump made a public announcement that he is going to meet with us next week.
“So, there is no one who invites a guest to mistreat them. We are expecting the highest level of decorum and necessary protocols to be accorded,” Ntshavheni said.
Senior fellow for Africa policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, Michelle Gavin, thinks the meeting may “veer into the surreal” due to the US administration’s approach to South Africa.
Political analyst Dr John Molepo was more optimistic, suggesting Ramaphosa can surprise Trump with reciprocal market access and clarify the land expropriation powers in South Africa.
“The outcome of Ramaphosa’s meeting with Trump remains uncertain, but Steenhuisen’s presence in the delegation signals the government’s commitment to saving AGOA and improving trade relations,” he said
