Ramaphosa and Trump expected to discuss trade relations at G7 Summit

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Canada this weekend.

- MASHUDU SADIKE

The meeting will focus on key issues, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and US-SA tariffs.

Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump comes after South Africa submitted a revised framework proposal to the US, aiming to expand trade and investment relations between the two countries.

The US imposed tariffs on South African imports in April, with a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs of 30% against South African exports.

The tariffs were part of a broader set of “liberation day” tariffs imposed by Trump on all US trading partners.

However, they were later reduced to a base rate of 10%, with the expectation that countries would use the 90 days to propose solutions addressing the US's trade deficit concerns.

Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump will be his second in about three weeks, following their encounter at the White House last month.

During their previous meeting, Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of the US’s role in the G20 Summit and invited Trump to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg later this year.