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.