Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Ramaphosa says US midterms could thaw US-South Africa ties
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on November 4 that Democrats' victory over Republicans in the US midterm elections could mark a "new era in world relations" and help repair strained ties between Pretoria and Washington.
Ramaphosa told reporters after voting in local government elections that he hoped the result would bring a "coming together of minds" on geopolitics, trade and investment.
The comments came after Washington removed South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a programme offering eligible sub-Saharan African countries preferential access to the US market. The exclusion is set to take effect on January 1.
Pretoria and Washington have clashed over race, trade and diplomacy. The United States has cut aid, imposed tariffs, expelled South Africa's ambassador and boycotted a G20 summit in Johannesburg.
South Africa is the United States' largest trading partner on the African continent, with more than 500 US businesses and 30,000 US citizens based in the country.
Update
Washington has removed South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, with the exclusion set to take effect on January 1.
Ramaphosa said he hoped for a bilateral 'coming together of minds' on geopolitics, trade and investment.
The source adds context on recent US-South Africa disputes, including aid cuts, tariffs, an ambassador expulsion and a G20 boycott.
South Africa is described as the United States' largest trading partner on the African continent.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 November 2026 at 11:26:46 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The economic impact of South Africa's AGOA exclusion is forecast rather than established.
Source
AFP news report published on .