US wants SA closer to West, away from Russia and China – Mbeki

US

Cape Town – Political economist Moeletsi Mbeki believes the United States’ main interest in South Africa is to shift the country’s foreign policy back in line with American and Western interests.

Ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, Mbeki noted that Trump’s administration views South Africa as having drifted toward alliances with Russia and China, EWN reported.

“Donald Trump and his team are very clear about what they want from South Africa. They want South Africa back into the Western camp. That is basically all they want. They feel South Africa has drifted away from the Western Camp and are getting closer and closer to the Eastern Camp, which is Russia and China,” the report quoted Mbeki as saying.

Ramaphosa is in Washington for a working visit and is set to meet Trump.

The visit comes amid strained relations, particularly after the US granted asylum to 49 white South Africans based on false claims of racial persecution and “genocide”, which South Africa disputes.

The meeting aims to reset and strengthen bilateral ties, focusing on economic and trade relations.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the president is confident and not apprehensive, although some topics may spark robust discussions.

“He’s looking forward to it, he’s highly enthused, and we’re looking forward to a very successful meeting aimed at resetting the relationship between South Africa and the United States. He’s not apprehensive at all.

“We don’t think President Trump invited President Ramaphosa for that kind of treatment. There are issues of concern on the side of the US and on our side as well. It is possible that those issues may trigger a rather robust discussion, which is only the nature of these engagements. But we believe that the kind of courtesy that we are accustomed to, that heads of state extend to one another, will be in full display tomorrow,” Magwenya said.

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