<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it didn\u2019t come up at all”.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Steenhuisen made the remarks Tuesday afternoon while commenting on engagements the South African delegation has had with US counterparts. <\/span><\/p>\n He confirmed that he met with Greer on Monday, where discussions were on issues facing the agriculture industry.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe had a very cordial and constructive meeting with Ambassador Greer, the US Trade Representative,\u201d Steenhuisen told Newzroom Afrika in the US.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He said the US expressed interest in rebalancing trade, while South Africa aims to retain access to US markets, without facing steep tariffs.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cObviously, from our side, we want to avoid a 30% tariff. That was the main focus of the discussion yesterday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Steenhuisen confirmed he would brief Ramaphosa on the outcome of the talks and possible paths forward.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur key goal is to keep the doors open with the United States and ensure we have good, ongoing bilateral arrangements,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Ramaphosa\u2019s visit to Washington comes amid strained relations with the Trump administration. <\/span><\/p>\n Tensions escalated during Trump\u2019s second term, especially after he criticised South Africa\u2019s land reform policy, claiming it enabled the seizure of land from White Afrikaner farmers, a claim the South African government has rejected.<\/span><\/p>\n The relationship worsened in February when the US cut HIV and AIDS funding to South Africa. <\/span><\/p>\n Most recently, Washington granted refugee status to 49 White South Africans citing racial discrimination, another claim the South African government has strongly denied.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Asked whether land expropriation or the Expropriation Act was raised in relation to the White farmersduring the meeting with Greer, Steenhuisen responded, \u201cNo, it didn\u2019t come up at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He said the emphasis remained on trade and practical cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNo doubt the matter will come up in the course of the period. And we must be honest, we do have a rural safety problem,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt affects rural communities harshly due to poor police resources and the difficulty of policing large areas. That\u2019s why we should be seeking partnerships with other countries to improve rural safety through technology and other means.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He admitted that farmers and farm workers often feel unsafe, but said this was not unique to South Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat we need is better resource allocation for rural policing and improved synergy between local farming security initiatives and formal SAPS interventions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 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, \u201cWell, I\u2019m not sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Two months ago, DA members undertook a weeklong visit to the US, claiming to support South Africa\u2019s foreign policy by providing American leaders with fact-based insights on domestic issues.<\/span><\/p>\n That visit drew criticism from Lamola, who told News at that time that representing South Africa\u2019s foreign policy is the responsibility of the executive.<\/span><\/p>\n Steenhuisen pushed back on identity-based assumptions.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n However, he acknowledged the importance of addressing land ownership disparities.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe must address imbalances in land ownership, but responsibly, without threatening food security or property rights,\u201d he said. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why Section 25 of the Constitution remains intact. As you know, the matter of expropriation without compensation is currently before the courts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The DA has long opposed the signing of the Expropriation Act. Steenhuisen added that any compensation must be \u201cfair and equitable,\u201d in line with the Constitution.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za<\/p>\n Politics<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cNo, it didn\u2019t 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[2159,7172,5121,7064,1362,3115,2849],"class_list":{"0":"post-240851","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-politics","7":"tag-didnt","8":"tag-farmers","9":"tag-issue","10":"tag-steenhuisen","11":"tag-talks","12":"tag-trade","13":"tag-white"},"yoast_head":"\n
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