Ramaphosa Seeks to Repair US Relations Through Musk-Led Business Deals

Editorial: reda El ghazal

Aims to revive strained diplomatic ties, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will prioritize economic collaboration during high-stakes talks with U.S. leaders this week. The visit follows escalating tensions under the Trump administration, which criticized Pretoria’s land reform agenda and its stance on Israel while withdrawing financial support. Ramaphosa’s delegation plans to propose mutually beneficial trade terms, seeking to counter recent U.S. sanctions and safeguard critical export markets.

Centers on the agenda are potential partnerships with Elon Musk’s enterprises, including tariff incentives for Tesla imports in exchange for electric vehicle infrastructure investments. South African officials also aim to address licensing hurdles for Musk’s Starlink satellite service, denying prior claims of racial bias in regulatory processes. While U.S. diplomats have reportedly pressured nations to adopt Starlink, Pretoria maintains the firm must comply with local equity rules requiring partial ownership by disadvantaged groups—a policy Musk has publicly contested.

Also at risk is South Africa’s duty-free agricultural access to the U.S. under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, now threatened by Trump’s trade policies. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen warned that losing these privileges would devastate rural economies, urging negotiators to secure protections for farmers. With both sides framing the talks as pivotal, Ramaphosa’s ability to leverage Musk’s ventures and agricultural exports could determine whether a fractured alliance stabilizes or deteriorates further.