Cyril walks Trump tightrope

President Cyril Ramaphosa must clinch a deal with US President Donald Trump, hence he speaks with a forked tongue.

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

President Cyril Ramaphosa is caught between a rock and a hard place in his dealings with United States President Donald Trump, who is trying every trick in the book to redirect South Africa's foreign policy to suit his right-wing thinking.

Ramaphosa would have liked to settle the tariffs issue with the US as early as possible, probably by conceding a lot to the bully in the White House.

He would have liked to concede to avoid South Africa being punished by Trump, who uses a carrot and stick, or soft power if you like, to cut a deal with all those who come and sit in front of him in the Oval Office.

At the same time, in the case of South Africa and India, Trump knows he can’t keep up his hardline attitude forever because of the threat of China and Russia to US power.

He wouldn't like to lose them to China, which has strong economic muscle built over decades on the back of its historic poverty.