RAMAPHOSA v TRUMP II

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa is set for nog 'n bots with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Canada this weekend.

The meeting will focus on key issues, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and US-SA tariffs.

Ramaphosa’s meeting with Trump comes after South Africa submitted a revised framework proposal to the US, aiming to expand trade and investment relations between the two countries.

The US imposed tariffs on Mzansi imports in April, with a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs of 30 percent against SA exports, before Trump later cut it to 10 percent.

According to sources close to Ramaphosa, the meeting agenda will include discussions on AGOA, providing duty-free access to the US market for some African products.

The agreement is set to expire in September, and SA is eager to see it renewed. 

Ramaphosa will also raise concerns about US-SA tariffs, urging the US not to increase them beyond the current 10 percent.

The source says: “The business sector has expressed concerns about the rise of tariffs, and Ramaphosa is under pressure to come up with answers.

“A successful meeting could help to ease tensions...”

Ramaphosa, meanwhile, told journalists on Tuesday that after meeting Trump, he would speak to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.