Ramaphosa adviser heads to United States for trade talks

By Palesa Matlala

• President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his investment adviser Alistair Ruiters to the United States to restart talks on a bilateral trade deal.
• United States President Donald Trump imposed a 15% global import tariff after a federal court ruled he had overstepped his powers on earlier tariffs.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is sending his special adviser on investment, Alistair Ruiters, to the United States to restart trade talks.

Ruiters will resume negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between South Africa and the United States.

The visit comes at a tense time between the two countries.

Recently, a United States federal court ruled that President Donald Trump had overstepped his authority when he introduced sweeping import tariffs.

According to the United States federal government, Trump used legislation meant for national emergencies to push through the tariffs.

Soon after the court’s decision, Trump turned to another section of United States trade law.

He imposed an immediate global import tariff of 15% on goods entering America from all countries.

The move sent shockwaves through global markets and raised fresh concerns about trade relations.

Ruiters has been involved in efforts to ease tensions.

In September 2025, he made progress in talks with United States officials aimed at lowering tariff rates.

South Africa was hopeful that a deal could be finalised by October 2025.

But relations took a different turn as hostility from Trump’s administration towards South Africa worsened.

The tension spilled over into global events.

The United States boycotted the Group of 20 Leaders Summit held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in late November 2025.

Now, Ruiters’ trip is seen as a fresh attempt to stabilise trade ties and find common ground between the two nations.

Pictured above: Ramaphosa and Trump

Image source: Supplied