Ramaphosa’s working visit to the US receives Cabinet’s full approval — Ntshavheni

Ramaphosa’s recent working trip to the United States has received a positive assessment from Cabinet, with officials expressing satisfaction that the main goals of the visit were met. According to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who was part of the official delegation, Cabinet concluded during its Wednesday meeting that the Ramaphosa’s US visit achieved the objectives it set out to accomplish.

Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Ntshavheni emphasized that while some outcomes, including potential trade agreements between South Africa and the United States, still require finalisation, the broader purpose of the visit was successfully carried out. The trip marked an important moment in Pretoria’s efforts to reestablish solid diplomatic and economic relations with Washington, following a period of growing tension and misinformation.

The Ramaphosa’s US visit came at a time when South Africa had been under intense international scrutiny, with several disinformation campaigns painting a negative picture of the country’s political and economic stability. President Donald Trump, in particular, had made multiple controversial statements suggesting instability and alleged misgovernance in South Africa. These comments strained relations between the two nations, prompting the need for direct diplomatic engagement.

Ramaphosa’s US Visit Receives Cabinet Approval Despite Pending Trade Deals

Over the past week, the South African government has made it clear that the visit was part of a broader strategy to correct misconceptions and rebuild trust with the United States. Ntshavheni confirmed that Cabinet believed the visit had made substantial progress toward those aims. “The South African and United States teams will now work on finalising the trade deal. It is important to note that the objectives that South Africa had set for the trip have indeed been met,” she said.

The trip also aimed to secure renewed US involvement in global forums, particularly the G20, where recent tensions had impacted multilateral cooperation. In the months leading up to the Ramaphosa’s US visit, US officials had increasingly distanced themselves from G20 activities, with high-profile absences including the US Treasury Secretary and Secretary of State skipping respective ministerial meetings.

Following President Ramaphosa’s engagement in Washington, Cabinet now expects a reversal of that trend. Minister Ntshavheni stated that the government is optimistic about the potential resumption of full US participation in the G20 process. “Cabinet looks forward to the possible attendance of President Trump at the G20 leaders’ summit,” she said, underscoring hopes for improved global collaboration.

As part of its commitment to hosting the summit, Cabinet has confirmed that the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg will serve as the official venue for the G20 leaders’ meeting in November. The summit is expected to bring together global leaders for high-stakes discussions on issues ranging from climate change and global trade to geopolitical stability and development funding.

While final details of trade agreements and other diplomatic follow-ups remain in progress, the Ramaphosa’s US visit has been positioned as a strategic success by the South African government. The President’s efforts to re-engage with one of South Africa’s largest trading partners are seen as vital for both economic recovery and international perception management.

Analysts note that the visit could set the tone for a more constructive bilateral relationship in the months ahead, provided the momentum is sustained and mutual interests are respected. For now, however, the government appears confident that it has taken a meaningful step in repairing and strengthening its ties with the United States.

As South Africa prepares to host world leaders at the G20 summit later this year, the Ramaphosa’s US visit may be remembered as the diplomatic initiative that helped pave the way for renewed global partnerships and economic cooperation.

Source- EWN