• South Africa's Ramaphosa meets Trump amid strained relations over genocide claims.
• Discussions expected to focus on trade, land issues, and the Gaza genocide case.
• Ramaphosa's government challenges US claims of white South African persecution.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has begun a significant state visit to the United States, timed to reset the currently frosty relations between the two nations, particularly with the administration of President Donald Trump. This meeting, set for May 21, comes in the wake of controversies surrounding Trump's claims related to the alleged persecution of white South Africans and his administration's recent actions offering refuge to members of this demographic, whom he termed victims of a “white genocide,” according to Al Jazeera.

Upon arriving in Washington, Ramaphosa's team made it clear that the South African government disputes the United States' claims of atrocities against the white Afrikaner population. Presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya stated that the burden of proof lies with the U.S. if it continues propagating these accusations, calling such claims unfounded and detrimental to the diplomatic relationship. Ramaphosa seeks to "reset" the dialogue to address these misunderstandings and work toward enhancing trade relations, according to Africa News and TRT World.

The discussions will also cover pressing issues like the ongoing conflict in Gaza, for which South Africa has filed a genocide case against Israel. This legal action has aggravated relations with the Trump administration, which supports Israel and has criticized South Africa's positioning on such matters. The South African government remains firm in its stance and refuses to withdraw the case, emphasizing its role in advocating for the Palestinian cause, as reported by Al Jazeera and Africa News.

Another topic on the agenda will be the broader trade relations between the U.S. and South Africa. Ramaphosa aims to address recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which have been described as "punitive" and detrimental to South African exports. The U.S. is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner, and both leaders are expected to explore ways to revive and strengthen these economic ties. Ramaphosa's administration is underlined by a commitment to protect local livelihoods amid these bilateral economic developments, according to Africa News and TRT World.

As part of the discussions, there will also be considerations regarding the U.S. decision to introduce a resettlement program for white South Africans. Ramaphosa and his government have voiced their displeasure over perceiving this as a misleading reflection of the realities in South Africa. The visit also aims to emphasize that while South Africa upholds the right to address historical injustices through land reforms, such transformations are not based on targeting any specific racial group, according to Al Jazeera and TRT World.

Overall, the upcoming meetings are seen as pivotal in redefining the future of U.S.-South Africa relations, although the success of these talks remains contingent on addressing deeply rooted tensions and differing perceptions between the two countries.