Ramaphosa Slams US Trade Coercion, Warns Against Rising Unilateralism
Without naming the U.S. explicitly, Ramaphosa denounced the use of economic tools as instruments of political domination, saying global governance is now shaped by force rather than shared values
South Africa | PUREWILAYAH.COM — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has delivered a direct rebuke of the United States, condemning trade coercion and warning against rising unilateralism as global tensions intensify and relations with Washington continue to deteriorate.
Speaking during his state-of-the-nation address in Cape Town, Ramaphosa criticized an emerging global order shaped by power politics and economic pressure, remarks widely understood as targeting US policies under President Donald Trump.
Rejection of Coercive Trade and Power Politics
Without naming the United States explicitly, Ramaphosa denounced the use of economic tools as instruments of political domination, warning that global governance is increasingly defined by force rather than shared values.
“The world is rapidly changing and has become one in which narrow self-interest has replaced the common good, a world in which trade is used as an instrument of coercion, a world in which might is right and the powerful impose themselves on the weak,” he said.
He urged South Africans to uphold principles of dignity, equality, and solidarity, calling for resistance to discrimination and prejudice at a time of mounting international pressure.
Relations With Washington Under Strain
Relations between South Africa and the United States have worsened since Trump returned to the White House. Washington has accused Pretoria of targeting White farmers, openly criticized South Africa’s political positions on Iran and Palestine, and imposed a 30 percent tariff on selected South African exports — the highest tariff level applied to any country in sub-Saharan Africa.
Trump has also publicly rebuked Ramaphosa during a visit to the White House and later called for a US boycott of the Group of 20 summit hosted in Johannesburg.
Pretoria Signals Firmness Despite Engagement
Despite the escalating pressure, Ramaphosa has stated that the United States remains an important trading partner and that his administration continues to pursue a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
However, his remarks reflect growing frustration within South Africa’s leadership over Washington’s confrontational posture and repeated reliance on economic and political coercion.
Defending Strategic Independence
As unilateral policies and trade pressure become more pronounced, Pretoria is signaling a firmer defense of its foreign policy independence. South Africa’s leadership appears increasingly unwilling to subordinate its positions on Iran, Palestine, and global governance to external pressure.
Ramaphosa’s address underscores Pretoria’s position that coercion and economic intimidation will not dictate its political choices, even as relations with the United States remain strained.