“No, it didn’t come up at all”.
That was the response of Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen when asked if the the issue of white Afrikaner farmers were discussed with US officials during his meeting with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on Tuesday.
Steenhuisen, the DA leader and ranking member of the Government of National Unity is part of Cyril Ramaphosa’s delegation to the United States to meet with President Donald Trump for crucial talks on Wednesday in Washington.
Steenhuisen made the remarks Tuesday afternoon while commenting on engagements the South African delegation has had with US counterparts.
He confirmed that he met with Greer on Monday, where discussions were on issues facing the agriculture industry.
“We had a very cordial and constructive meeting with Ambassador Greer, the US Trade Representative,” Steenhuisen told Newzroom Afrika in the US.
“We had a very open and frank exchange about how we can ensure mutually beneficial trade between South Africa and the United States, reiterating the importance of both markets for each other.”
He said the US expressed interest in rebalancing trade, while South Africa aims to retain access to US markets, without facing steep tariffs.
“Obviously, from our side, we want to avoid a 30% tariff. That was the main focus of the discussion yesterday.”
Steenhuisen confirmed he would brief Ramaphosa on the outcome of the talks and possible paths forward.
“Our key goal is to keep the doors open with the United States and ensure we have good, ongoing bilateral arrangements,” he said.
He added that both sides agreed to maintain open channels for resolving issues such as phytosanitary and animal health concerns, so as to avoid disruptions to trade.
Ramaphosa’s visit to Washington comes amid strained relations with the Trump administration.
Tensions escalated during Trump’s second term, especially after he criticised South Africa’s land reform policy, claiming it enabled the seizure of land from White Afrikaner farmers, a claim the South African government has rejected.
The relationship worsened in February when the US cut HIV and AIDS funding to South Africa.
Most recently, Washington granted refugee status to 49 White South Africans citing racial discrimination, another claim the South African government has strongly denied.
Ramaphosa is accompanied by Steenhuisen, who also leads the Democratic Alliance (DA) and is part of the Government of National Unity (GNU), as well as Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, and new special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas.
Asked whether land expropriation or the Expropriation Act was raised in relation to the White farmersduring the meeting with Greer, Steenhuisen responded, “No, it didn’t come up at all.”
He said the emphasis remained on trade and practical cooperation.
“No doubt the matter will come up in the course of the period. And we must be honest, we do have a rural safety problem,” he said.
“It affects rural communities harshly due to poor police resources and the difficulty of policing large areas. That’s why we should be seeking partnerships with other countries to improve rural safety through technology and other means.”
He admitted that farmers and farm workers often feel unsafe, but said this was not unique to South Africa.
“What we need is better resource allocation for rural policing and improved synergy between local farming security initiatives and formal SAPS interventions.”
When asked again on whether, as a white man in the agriculture portfolio, he felt uniquely positioned to communicate with a US administration concerned about alleged persecution of white farmers, Steenhuisen responded, “Well, I’m not sure.”
Two months ago, DA members undertook a weeklong visit to the US, claiming to support South Africa’s foreign policy by providing American leaders with fact-based insights on domestic issues.
That visit drew criticism from Lamola, who told News at that time that representing South Africa’s foreign policy is the responsibility of the executive.
Steenhuisen pushed back on identity-based assumptions.
“I regard myself as the minister of agriculture, not the white minister of agriculture. We should judge people on their character, not as envoys of their race.”
However, he acknowledged the importance of addressing land ownership disparities.
“We must address imbalances in land ownership, but responsibly, without threatening food security or property rights,” he said.
“That’s why Section 25 of the Constitution remains intact. As you know, the matter of expropriation without compensation is currently before the courts.”
The DA has long opposed the signing of the Expropriation Act.
Steenhuisen added that any compensation must be “fair and equitable,” in line with the Constitution.
“We look forward to the courts clarifying the matter. As with any judicial review of government actions anywhere in the world, the courts play a vital role.”
Politics
