South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, emphasized the importance of maintaining strong trade relations between South Africa and the United States during a press briefing outside the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

Steenhuisen, part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delegation ahead of a high-stakes meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighted discussions aimed at securing favorable market access for South African agricultural exports, particularly citrus, wine, nuts, and table grapes.

The minister revealed that he had already held a “cordial and constructive” meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Greer, where both sides discussed ways to ensure mutually beneficial trade. A key concern for South Africa is avoiding a proposed 30% tariff that could severely impact its agricultural sector.

“The U.S. accounts for about 7% of our agricultural exports, but it is a critical market for certain industries,” Steenhuisen said. “Towns like Citrusdal in the Western Cape rely heavily on access to the U.S. market.”

He stressed the need for open channels to resolve trade barriers, particularly regarding phytosanitary and animal health regulations, to ensure smooth bilateral trade.

When asked whether the contentious issue of land expropriation without compensation—a topic that has drawn criticism from the Trump administration—was raised, Steenhuisen confirmed it was not discussed in the trade talks. However, he acknowledged South Africa’s challenges with rural safety and policing, which have affected farmers and farmworkers.

“We have a rural safety problem due to inadequate police resources,” he said. “Farmers and workers feel unsafe, but this is not unique to South Africa. We need partnerships to improve security through technology and better policing strategies.”

Steenhuisen, who also leads South Africa’s second-largest political party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), reiterated his stance on land reform, emphasizing the need for constitutional compliance. “Section 25 of the constitution remains intact,” he said. “Expropriation must be fair and equitable, not at the expense of food security or property rights.”

As a key figure in South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Steenhuisen sought to position the new administration as distinct from past policies that may have strained U.S.-South Africa relations, including disputes over the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the ICJ’s case against Israel.

“This is a new administration with a fresh approach,” he said. “We are committed to unity and finding solutions to our challenges, not just pointing out problems.”

Steenhuisen is set to brief President Ramaphosa ahead of Wednesday’s Oval Office meeting with Trump, where trade, investment, and geopolitical issues are expected to dominate discussions.

With South Africa’s agricultural sector employing over 200,000 people in the Western Cape alone, the outcome of these talks could have significant implications for the country’s economy.