South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington next week in what analysts describe as . The meeting comes as diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington reach an all-time low, with Trump repeatedly making rightfully statements about South Africa, including allegations of genocide against white farmers, Afrikaners and land expropriation without compensation.

The relationship between South Africa and the U.S. has deteriorated sharply under the Trump administration, with the White House recently suspending preparatory work for the upcoming G20 summit—hosted by South Africa in November—citing concerns over the country’s domestic policies.

“,” said correspondent Simon Marks. “There’s never been a moment where the relationship has been at such a low point—not even during apartheid.”

Trump has doubled down on his claims about South Africa, despite pushback from the South African government, which insists his assertions are based on misinformation. The U.S. president has also suggested he may skip the G20 summit unless Pretoria addresses his concerns—a move that could further strain ties.

One of the key challenges for Ramaphosa will be navigating Trump’s unconventional diplomatic style. Unlike previous U.S. presidents, Trump has turned Oval Office meetings into impromptu press conferences, often lasting up to an hour, where foreign leaders are subjected to unpredictable questioning—sometimes from pro-Trump commentators embedded in the press pool.

Marks noted that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently managed such an encounter by offering short, diplomatic rebuttals without escalating tensions—a strategy Ramaphosa may need to emulate.

Experts suggest that Ramaphosa’s best chance of resetting relations lies in emphasizing trade. Trump’s foreign policy has been heavily transactional, with a focus on reducing the U.S. trade deficit and securing business opportunities for American companies.

“Trade is pretty much the only thing [Trump] cares about,” Marks said. Potential discussion points could include:

However, any overtures must balance South Africa’s economic empowerment policies, which require black ownership participation—a sticking point that has previously deterred U.S. investors.

The meeting will also touch on global issues, including South Africa’s stance on Israel and Iran. While Trump has grown increasingly critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he remains hostile to South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Ramaphosa may seek to leverage Trump’s fraying relationship with Netanyahu and his recent openness to talks with Iran as potential diplomatic openings—though progress will be difficult given the ICJ dispute.

As Ramaphosa prepares for the high-pressure encounter, his team is likely studying past Trump meetings to avoid pitfalls. Marks suggested that offering concrete economic incentives—while delicately addressing Trump’s misinformation—could be crucial.

“An invitation for Trump to visit South Africa before the G20 might not be a bad idea,” Marks added. “Seeing the country firsthand could challenge some of his preconceptions.”

With the future of U.S.-South African relations hanging in the balance, next week’s meeting could either mark a turning point—or deepen the rift between the two nations.