Ramaphosa’s Response to Trump’s Demands Catches US Off Guard
- US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell said South Africa's reply to Washington's formal list of demands failed to address any of the outstanding issues
- Bozell linked the inadequate response directly to visa restrictions the US announced in September, and warned further measures could follow
- President Ramaphosa and Minister Ronald Lamola have rejected the US approach, framing it as a matter of South African sovereignty
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SOUTH AFRICA — US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell says President Cyril Ramaphosa’s response to requests from the Trump administration left Washington “shocked”.
According to Businesstech, Bozell said the lack of a meaningful response from Pretoria contributed to the United States imposing visa restrictions on specific South Africans and could lead to further measures.
According to the ambassador, four demands had emerged from discussions between US delegations and South African officials. The South African government rejected them because they had not been submitted through official channels.
Bozell outlined the five "asks"
When Bozell became ambassador in February 2026, the list had grown to five “asks” and was formally presented to Pretoria. Bozell said two of the issues had effectively been addressed.
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One involved ensuring the South African government did not interfere with the processing of Afrikaner refugee applications. The other concerned expropriation without compensation, which is currently before the Constitutional Court.
However, Bozell said three outstanding issues received no meaningful response from the South African government.
These included condemning the “kill the boer” chant, making rural crime a priority and introducing alternatives to BEE, including equity equivalent investment programmes in sectors such as mining and telecommunications.
After months of waiting, Bozell said Washington set a deadline for Pretoria to respond.
A response eventually arrived, but the ambassador said it failed to address the issues raised.
“It is safe to say my government was not just disappointed, it was shocked,” Bozell said.
US warns of further action
Bozell linked the lack of progress to visa restrictions announced by Washington earlier in September.
He said the restrictions target specific individuals whom the US believes are connected to issues involving uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination and alleged incitement of violence against minority groups.
Bozell described the measures as a “first response”, warning that they may not be the final step.
He also pointed to uncertainty surrounding which countries will qualify for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 2027.
He argued that regulatory uncertainty could discourage further investment.
Lamola defends South Africa's sovereignty
However, Ramaphosa and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola have rejected the characterisation of the US demands as acceptable conditions for engagement. Briefly News reported that Lamola and Ramaphosa described the approach as an issue of South African sovereignty and said Pretoria remains willing to negotiate with Washington on an equal footing.He also called the US refugee program for White South Africans, 'Apartheid 2.0'.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
