---
title: "'In the end, we had a really good bilateral' — Ramaphosa at press conference after Trump meeting"
description: "President Cyril Ramaphosa is meeting US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC at 5.30pm, SAST, today. Follow our real-time updates from the White House, analysis and commentary."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "CATCH UP"
author: "Daily Maverick"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-05-21-live-ramaphosa-meets-trump/"
published: "2025-05-21T15:34:32"
updated: "2025-05-22T16:37:33"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 65
---

# 'In the end, we had a really good bilateral' — Ramaphosa at press conference after Trump meeting

> President Cyril Ramaphosa is meeting US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC at 5.30pm, SAST, today. Follow our real-time updates from the White House, analysis and commentary.

By Daily Maverick · Published 21 May 2025, 17:34 SAST · Updated 22 May 2025, 18:37 SAST

## Key points
- As Ramaphosa preps for a high-stakes tête-à-tête with Trump, the stakes are as high as the hopes for a trade deal, with whispers of diplomatic intrigue and a side of gas supplies thrown in for good measure.
- Ramaphosa's upcoming meeting with Trump is pivotal for South Africa, focusing on trade and US gas supplies amidst energy challenges.
- Johann Rupert has been instrumental in bridging communication between the two leaders, addressing land reform misconceptions.
- The meeting's tone is uncertain, with comparisons to Zelensky's tense Washington visit raising concerns for Ramaphosa's reception.
- Ramaphosa expresses optimism for a positive outcome, emphasizing the importance of the meeting for South Africa and its people.

## Content

### Catch up

- Ramaphosa in resolve-and-reset mode on SA-US ties [despite Trump’s white Afrikaner genocide claims](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-05-22-ramaphosa-in-resolve-and-reset-mode-on-sa-us-ties-despite-trumps-white-afrikaner-genocide-claims/)
- Ambush or relationship reset? Daily Maverick writers [assess Ramaphosa’s meeting with Trump](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-05-22-ambush-or-relationship-reset-daily-maverick-writers-assess-ramaphosas-meeting-with-trump/)
- [High stakes in 10 charts](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-05-20-high-stakes-in-10-charts-what-sa-risks-and-gains-in-a-trump-ramaphosa-meeting/) — what SA risks (and gains) in a Trump-Ramaphosa meeting
- [Johann Rupert played a key role](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-05-19-ramaphosas-trump-meeting-is-a-diplomatic-coup/) in facilitating communication between Ramaphosa and Trump, countering misinformation about land reforms.

*[Live blog — follow updates on the original page](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-05-21-live-ramaphosa-meets-trump/)*