Ramaphosa and Trump Discuss Critical Minerals Partnership

South Africa and the US: A Critical Minerals Partnership? On May 22nd, 2025, a meeting between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and former US President Donald Trump shed light on a crucial economic partnership. In a brief exchange, President Ramaphosa highlighted South Africa's reserves of critical minerals, emphasizing their potential to fuel US economic growth and reindustrialization. "You are a much bigger economy than we are," Ramaphosa stated, "we are a tiny economy, but we have critical minerals, we have that on offer." This statement underscores the growing global demand for these minerals and South Africa's strategic position as a supplier. The meeting suggests a potential strengthening of economic ties between the two countries, focusing on mutual benefit and resource exchange. Further investigation is needed to understand the full scope of the discussions and any agreements reached. The potential for collaboration between South Africa and the US in this sector holds significant implications for global economic stability and technological advancement.