South African President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to explore potential business opportunities for Elon Musk’s companies during his visit to Washington this week, according to his spokesperson. The trip is part of an effort to improve diplomatic relations with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Tensions between the two nations have risen during Trump’s second term, with the U.S. leader criticizing South Africa’s land reform policies and its recent genocide case against Israel, a key U.S. ally, at the International Court of Justice.
His administration cut funding to the country in February and last week granted refugee status to a group of white South Africans it said were facing racial discrimination – a claim the South African government denies.
The two heads of state are scheduled to meet on Wednesday. And South African officials have been preparing a trade proposal to present to Trump to reset the relationship.
One potential proposal would be for Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab – led by Musk, a close ally and adviser to Trump – to receive favourable tariffs on its imports into South Africa in exchange for building electric vehicle charging stations.
“(It) could be one of the points discussed,” Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in response to a text message query on the matter.
Asked about the question of licencing for Musk’s satellite company Starlink, Magwenya said: “Certainly, the issue will be discussed.”
The United States has pushed some nations facing tariffs to approve Starlink, the Washington Post reported earlier this month, citing State Department cables.
Musk, who is South African-born, has previously claimed Starlink was barred from operating in South Africa because he is not Black, an allegation South African officials refuted. South Africa’s telecoms regulator said in March that Starlink had not applied for a licence.
Musk’s false claim appeared to be taking a swipe at local Black Economic Empowerment rules, requiring foreign-owned telecommunications licencees to sell 30% of the equity in their local subsidiaries to historically disadvantaged groups.
South Africa’s Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, part of the delegation travelling to the United States on Monday, said he wanted to secure trade benefits for South African farmers.
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