Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after voting in South Africa’s municipal elections, Ramaphosa said the Democratic Party’s gains in the US midterms, including taking control of both chambers of Congress, showed that American voters had spoken.
“We have seen that the Democrats have taken control of the Senate and of the House, and the people of America have spoken. … I do think that this is going to introduce a new era in world relations,” he said, according to Reuters.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since Trump returned to the White House, with disagreements over South Africa’s domestic policies and its international positions contributing to tensions.
The US midterm results
The November 3 midterm elections delivered a sweeping victory for Democrats, who won control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, ending the Republican Party’s control of Congress.
Reuters reported that Democrats made significant gains in traditionally Republican states, including Texas, South Carolina, Ohio and Kansas, as voters expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of living, the war with Iran and Trump’s leadership.
The outcome gives Democrats greater power to scrutinise the Trump administration, investigate its actions, block presidential nominees and challenge his legislative agenda. The new Congress is expected to take office in January 2027, creating a divided government for the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
AGOA suspension and G20 exclusion deepen diplomatic tensions
The latest setback came on Monday, when the Trump administration announced that South Africa would lose its eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) from January 1, 2027. The programme has provided eligible African countries with duty-free access to the US market for thousands of products.
“Whilst we are sad that we’ve been removed from AGOA, our trade relations with the United States continue,” he said, adding that South Africa would continue seeking new export markets and diversifying its trade relationships.
The diplomatic rift has also included Washington’s suspension of financial assistance to South Africa and the expulsion of its former ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, in 2025.
Trump has repeatedly accused South Africa’s government of persecuting white citizens, allegations Pretoria has rejected.
Ramaphosa said the focus should now be on negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with Washington, even as his government works to reduce its dependence on the US market.
Source: africa.businessinsider.com
