Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Sunday, Jun 22, 2025

US President Seeks Explanations from South Africa on White Farmers' Situation

US President Seeks Explanations from South Africa on White Farmers' Situation

Donald Trump raises concerns about the treatment of white farmers during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
On May 21, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced during a meeting in the Oval Office with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa that he is seeking explanations regarding the situation of white farmers in South Africa, whom he claimed are facing "extermination." Trump, standing alongside Ramaphosa, expressed sorrow over the situation, noting, "Generally, the white farmers are fleeing South Africa, and this is a heartbreaking sight."

Trump presented Ramaphosa with video clips supporting accusations of violence against white farmers, stating, "They have been killed," referring to footage depicting numerous vehicles, which he claimed were filled with entire families of fleeing white farmers.

Over the course of the meeting, which lasted over an hour, Trump criticized the South African government's response to the alleged killings of white farmers, asserting that "these people are being executed, and in many cases, the government is the one attacking and killing them and seizing their land."

In his remarks, Trump likened the situation to apartheid, alleging that such events are not being reported, and people feel they must leave South Africa out of fears for their safety.

He downplayed a lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice, suggesting it would yield no significant results.

During the meeting, Trump invited professional golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, as well as billionaire Johann Rupert, to speak on the need for American involvement and support to improve conditions and stimulate economic growth, emphasizing that this support should be extended to all South Africans, not just white farmers, in order to create job opportunities.

The meeting took place against a backdrop of rising tensions between the US and South Africa.

Trump previously permitted the entry of 59 Afrikaner refugees into the United States under claims of discrimination and the risk of extermination in South Africa.

This action followed the assertion that land is being confiscated without compensation and that white farmers are under constant threat due to their race.

Despite denials from the South African government regarding these claims, diplomatic relations between the two nations have deteriorated significantly, especially in light of the recent lawsuit South Africa filed against Israel, which was met with strong condemnation from the Trump administration.

Trade and agricultural tariffs featured prominently on Ramaphosa's agenda during this visit, with concerns about a potential political standoff similar to that experienced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a White House meeting in February.

Ramaphosa is anticipated to face requests from Trump to reconsider laws that impede white Afrikaners' economic opportunities in favor of Black South Africans and may also be pressured to drop the lawsuit against Israel.

Both leaders have acknowledged the economic disparities between the two nations, with Ramaphosa reportedly planning to present proposals for a trade agreement that would allow better access to South African mineral resources, which are pivotal in various US industries, including technology, automotive, and clean energy.

In a parallel development, Ramaphosa negotiated a deal for the operation of Starlink internet services in South Africa, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, who has connections with Trump.

This move seeks to mitigate tensions related to local ownership laws concerning Black citizens, which have complicated trade relations between the US and South Africa.

The negotiations for Starlink occurred on the eve of Ramaphosa’s White House visit, aimed at addressing Trump's allegations regarding the treatment of Afrikaners in South Africa.

The US is South Africa's second-largest trading partner, benefiting significantly from trade agreements that allow for preferential access to the US market for eligible sub-Saharan African countries.

South Africa is the leading exporter of agricultural products under this agreement, with two-thirds of its agricultural exports entering the US tariff-free.

However, pressure from some US legislators to revoke these benefits looms as trade discussions intensify.

The country faces significant economic challenges, including unemployment rates exceeding 30% and growth rates averaging below 1% over the past decade.

As a result, Ramaphosa is prioritizing economic discussions to address the underlying issues affecting South Africa.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
×