Ambassador Meyer says SA must restore ties with the US
Roelf Meyer, South Africa's ambassador to the United States, said he aims to restore the strained relationship as quickly as possible. He spoke in Cape Town, where he launched his political memoir, and said trade and political ties both need work.
Meyer said the relationship matters because the US is the world's biggest economy. He said he would not blame anyone for the strain. He has been in the post for just more than three months.
Meyer said South Africa had been facing headwinds from the Trump administration. He said the government must find ways out of the current situation. In his words: "We can't go on like this."
He said persuasion is what is needed and that he would be the messenger to try to make it happen. The US has made demands on the South African government, largely on laws and policy. Those demands are fuelled by disinformation about alleged racial attacks against minority groups.
Key facts
- Who
- Roelf Meyer (South Africa's ambassador to the United States; launched political memoir at…); Trump administration (US government that has made demands on South Africa)
- What
- Meyer, South Africa's ambassador to the US, said restoring the strained SA-US relationship is vital, saying he would not blame anyone and aimed to restore ties as quickly as possible. He said trade and political relations both need improvement.
- When
- 26 October 2026
- Where
- Cape Town, South Africa, United States
- Status
- Reported