Ramaphosa on US sanctions talk: 'We don't know what is driving all this'
President Cyril Ramaphosa has reacted to news of possible sanctions imposed on South Africa by the United States, saying South Africa remains committed to maintaining good diplomatic relations.
Ramaphosa was speaking on the sidelines of his visit to the BMW production plant in Rosslyn, outside Pretoria, on Thursday afternoon.
Engagements between South Africa and United States on trade relations are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/aXKLBcxlKj
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 24, 2025
Earlier this week, Republican Congressman Ronny Jackson confirmed that his proposed US–South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 has passed through the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The legislation is now awaiting a full House vote, which is only expected after lawmakers return from recess in September.
Ramaphosa acknowledged that the process was still at a premature stage, adding that South Africa wants to enrich existing relations.
"We've heard about what has happened in the House Committee, and that whole process still has a long way to go, and discussions will be ongoing. We don't know exactly what is driving all this; our bilateral dealings with the US will continue.
“We will talk about all manner of things, including this issue. and many others. We've got good diplomatic relations with the United States, and we want to enrich them."
Relations between Washington and Pretoria have been tense since the start of the Trump administration over South Africa’s positions on global conflicts such as Israel-Palestine and Ukraine.
President Ramaphosa says he remains positive that engagements with the US will be comprehensive towards continued good dealings between the two countries.
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