Ramaphosa Heads to UNGA80 Amid Tensions with Trump and Push for Palestine Recognition

President Cyril Ramaphosa has returned to New York for the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) and the timing could not be more combustible. The South African leader steps into an arena where global tensions over Palestine, Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan are colliding with increasingly fragile relations between Pretoria and Washington.

Palestine Takes Centre Stage

Ramaphosa has made it clear that South Africa’s message will echo loudly in the UN halls: support for recognising Palestine as a sovereign state. The president welcomed the growing list of countries including the UK, Canada, and Australia now backing Palestinian statehood.

“It’s wonderful to see so many countries surging forward to recognise the state of Palestine,” Ramaphosa told reporters upon landing in New York.

On 23 September, world leaders will debate the conflict in Palestine. For South Africa, which spearheaded genocide charges against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the moment is pivotal.

But for US President Donald Trump, it’s another flashpoint. Washington has vetoed six UN motions sanctioning Israel in just two years, a stance that has already put the US at odds with much of the international community.

Trump vs. Ramaphosa: A Fragile Relationship

Analyst Ayesha Kajee told Newzroom Afrika that Ramaphosa’s firm stance could “further strain the South Africa-US relationship,” especially with Trump doubling down on military support for Israel, including a $6 billion weapons package.

Trump allies in Congress have taken aim at Pretoria, accusing South Africa of siding with “US adversaries” and supporting Hamas. Senator John Kennedy has pushed for a review of bilateral ties, while Texas Republican Ronnie Jackson introduced a similar resolution in the House.

The bad blood is likely to spill into UNGA corridors, where Trump faces separate criticism from NATO allies over Russia’s airspace violations.

Skipping the Two-State Conference

While Ramaphosa prepares to back Palestine, Trump is skipping a two-state solution conference in Paris, hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to formally endorse Palestine’s recognition, a move US officials argue could “embolden Hamas” and weaken peace prospects.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio bluntly called the move “unwise,” signalling the deep divide Ramaphosa will be walking into.

Ramaphosa’s Trade Gamble

Beyond geopolitics, Ramaphosa is also fighting to protect South Africa’s economy. Trump’s administration slapped a 30% tariff on all South African exports in August 2025, a body blow to industries already grappling with sluggish growth.

Instead of relying on Trump for relief, Ramaphosa is turning to the US private sector. On the sidelines of UNGA, he will headline a Trade and Investment Executive Dialogue co-hosted by South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition and the US Chamber of Commerce.

“The president will also meet with several leading US companies as part of the investment drive,” the Presidency confirmed, underscoring the urgency of keeping American markets open. The US remains one of South Africa’s top five trading partners, accounting for 7.5% of exports.

Climate on the Agenda

Ramaphosa’s itinerary also includes a high-level climate change meeting, where he will advocate for stronger global commitments ahead of COP30. His office says South Africa will push for progress on climate finance, adaptation, and transparency,  issues that resonate domestically as the country battles energy insecurity and worsening climate shocks.

The Stakes for South Africa

This year’s UNGA is more than another diplomatic appearance. For Ramaphosa, it’s a chance to:

• Reassert South Africa’s moral stance on Palestine.

• Rebuild fragile trade ties with the US through private sector engagement.

• Reinforce South Africa’s image as a mediator in global conflicts.

But it also places him directly in the crosshairs of Trump’s foreign policy machine, which has already signalled hostility towards Pretoria.

As South Africans watch from home, the big question is whether Ramaphosa can walk the tightrope, standing firm on principle while keeping one of the country’s most important trade relationships from collapsing.

{Source: News Days}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com