WATCH | SA ‘to pursue US ties despite Trump’s Brics threats’

Ramaphosa

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to leverage South Africa’s G20 presidency to foster stronger ties with the US amidst tensions sparked by President-elect Donald Trump’s criticism of Brics+ countries.

Trump condemned efforts by Brics nations, including South Africa, to trade in local currencies, warning of potential 100% tariffs and restricted access to the US market.

“We require a commitment… that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty US Dollar or, they will face 100 percent Tariffs,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social website, referring to the grouping that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and others.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Ramaphosa emphasised diplomacy, stating his intention to engage Trump in discussions rather than confrontations on social media.

He highlighted the importance of collaboration between the US and South Africa within the G20 framework.

“We are going to work closely with the US and President Donald Trump. We will have moments when we are going to sit down around the table and discuss all these matters. Some of these matters are said on these platforms. We prefer that we sit down and rely on diplomacy and have proper discussions on each issue that affects each nation.

“We are looking forward to having such discussions with President Trump. He will obviously say from time to time this is the type of tariff he will impose on this country and that country. We hear all of that, but in the end we also have a message to put across, we will put it [on] the table where we can discuss things properly in the usual South African style,” Ramaphosa said.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu 

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