Moses Kau
Moses Kau: Ramaphosa failed to persuade Trump, reset relations, or secure US commitments, as the international relations expert critiques the South African President’s May 2025 working visit to Washington, arguing it did not achieve key objectives amid ongoing tensions including Trump’s decision not to attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, imposed tariffs, aid suspensions, and uncertainties over AGOA, PEPFAR, and USAID, highlighting persistent strains in bilateral ties despite Ramaphosa’s efforts to correct misinformation and strengthen economic partnerships.
Kau’s Critique of Ramaphosa’s US Visit
International relations expert Moses Kau has delivered a pointed assessment of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s working visit to the United States in May 2025, concluding it fell short of its goals to revitalise bilateral relations, deepen economic ties, and dispel misinformation. In an opinion piece published on 8 September 2025, Kau argues that the trip, intended to reset South Africa-US relations and secure commitments on trade and aid, instead exposed unresolved issues, particularly following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will skip the G20 Summit in Johannesburg from 22-23 November 2025. Kau questions the visit’s success, examining current relations and the status of key concerns like tariffs, AGOA renewal, PEPFAR funding, and USAID support.
The visit, held from 19-21 May 2025, saw Ramaphosa accompanied by ministers including Ronald Lamola (International Relations and Cooperation), Parks Tau (Trade, Industry and Competition), John Steenhuisen (Agriculture), and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (Minister in the Presidency), along with business leaders, golfers, and labour representatives. Ramaphosa described the engagement as a success, aimed at correcting US misconceptions about South Africa’s progress as a democracy and addressing challenges. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula echoed this, calling it “mission accomplished.” However, Kau contends the outcomes tell a different story, with no tangible gains in persuading Trump on critical fronts.
Kau’s analysis ties the visit’s perceived failure to Trump’s absence from the G20, where the US is set to assume the presidency from South Africa. Trump’s decision, announced on 5 September 2025, to send Vice President JD Vance instead, stems from policy disagreements, including unsubstantiated claims of “white genocide” and land seizures in South Africa. During the May meeting, Trump confronted Ramaphosa with videos and photos falsely depicting mass burials of white farmers—one image was from the Democratic Republic of Congo, showing Red Cross workers handling body bags unrelated to South Africa, while another was a symbolic protest with white crosses. Ramaphosa refuted these, defending land reform as essential for addressing apartheid legacies, but the encounter highlighted deep rifts.
Trade Tensions and Tariffs Impact
A core objective of Ramaphosa’s trip was enhancing trade relations, with the US as South Africa’s second-largest partner after China, worth $14.7 billion in 2024. Key exports include motor vehicles, minerals, and agricultural products. However, Kau notes Trump’s imposition of 30% tariffs on South African imports, effective from 1 August 2025, as a punitive measure despite the visit. These tariffs, higher than the 15% or 10% applied to other nations, were justified by Trump citing South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies and foreign stances, including its ICJ case against Israel and ties with Russia and China.
The tariffs threaten to devastate sectors like automotive and textiles, with potential job losses in the thousands. Ramaphosa’s delegation pushed for tariff relief and AGOA renewal, but progress stalled. AGOA, providing duty-free access for South African goods, faces uncertainty with its expiration looming in September 2025. Trump’s administration has signalled non-renewal, potentially costing $3.7 billion in trade value. Kau argues the visit failed to secure commitments, leaving South Africa vulnerable to economic fallout.
Aid Suspensions: PEPFAR and USAID Under Threat
Kau highlights the scaling back of vital US aid programmes as another shortfall. PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, has been crucial for South Africa, treating 5.5 million people annually and comprising 17% of the health budget. Projections indicated it could prevent half a million deaths by 2035. However, Trump halted or downsized PEPFAR operations post-visit, creating uncertainty for HIV/AIDS programmes.
Similarly, USAID, supporting economic development, health, governance, and food security, faces closure or reduction. Trump’s global aid freeze in January 2025, including suspensions to South Africa, contradicts Ramaphosa’s aims to strengthen partnerships. Kau notes these cuts undermine South Africa’s progress, affecting education, environmental conservation, and TB control, where USAID has been instrumental.
Bilateral Relations Review Act and Sanctions Loom
The US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025, advancing through Congress, further strains ties. Introduced in April 2025 by Republican Congressman Ronny Jackson, the bill mandates a full review of relations and potential sanctions on South African officials and ANC leaders over foreign policy alignments, including with Russia, China, and Iran. It passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on 23 July 2025 with a 34-16 vote, opposed only by Democrats, and awaits House, Senate, and presidential approval.
Kau views this as evidence of failed resets, with the Act targeting South Africa’s ICJ genocide case against Israel and BRICS ties. Trump has also considered sanctions on EFF leader Julius Malema for chants like “Kill the Boer,” shown during the May meeting. Despite Ramaphosa’s defence of racial reconciliation, the Act signals deteriorating relations, contradicting visit goals.
Tourism, Investments, and Special Envoys
Other areas show mixed results. US tourism to South Africa, around 400,000 visitors annually (372,262 in 2024), remains strong, but broader sentiments could impact it. Over 600 US companies employ 148,000 South Africans, but aid cuts and tariffs threaten investments.
On diplomatic fronts, the appointment of a new South African ambassador to Washington and Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy remains pending, with Kau noting the “jury is still out” due to confidentiality. Ramaphosa hailed the visit for correcting misinformation, but outcomes suggest limited success.
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