### Ramaphosa to Confront Trump on Afrikaner Refugees and Seek Business Collaboration with Elon Musk

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is slated to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, during which he is expected to challenge Trump's debunked claims regarding the persecution of white South African farmers. This high-stakes meeting comes after Trump recently welcomed Afrikaner refugees into the United States, stirring diplomatic tensions by expelling South Africa's ambassador and cutting off American aid.

Ramaphosa aims to use this opportunity to refute Trump’s assertions that suggest a genocide against white farmers. According to South African police data, out of 225 farm murders from April 2020 to March 2024, a significant number of the victims were Black workers, not white Afrikaner farmers. To bolster his stance, Ramaphosa plans to call for an independent investigation into these claims.

Elon Musk, the South African-born CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been vocal in criticizing his home country's handling of racial issues. Ramaphosa intends to pivot the conversation towards potential business ventures, hoping to attract Musk’s investments in South Africa. Potential projects include establishing Tesla electric vehicle charging stations across South Africa and utilizing the country's facilities for SpaceX rocket launches.

The South African President will also tackle Trump's controversial policies regarding South Africa’s land seizure laws, which permit the government to take privately held land without compensation. This measure, aimed at rectifying past racial inequalities, has been a flashpoint in U.S.-South Africa relations, particularly after Trump's executive order offering refugee status to Afrikaners.

In addition to navigating the complex geopolitical landscape, Ramaphosa will propose a new trade deal, focusing on areas such as energy to enhance economic ties between the two nations. South Africa remains a crucial trading partner for the United States, with significant export and import activities between the two countries in recent years.

Ramaphosa's visit signifies a delicate balancing act: maintaining South Africa's policy positions while attempting to smooth over relations with a key trading partner. The outcome of this meeting could significantly impact both the political and economic landscapes of South Africa and its international relations.