South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to defuse a row with the new US administration over a new land law by speaking to Elon Musk. Mr Musk is a close adviser to US President Donald Trump,

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke to Elon Musk “on issues of misinformation and distortions about South Africa,” the presidency announced on Tuesday.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke to Elon Musk on the subject of misinformation about South Africa, the presidency said on Tuesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would suspend aid to the country over its land reform policy.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa responded on Monday to US President Donald Trump’s threat to cut off aid over the alleged mistreatment of White farmers, denying Trump’s claim that authorities were “confiscating land.

Trump’s comments waded into a sensitive racial issue and deepened already sharp divisions between the United States and South Africa.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that he looked forward to engaging with U.S. President Donald Trump, after Trump said he would cut off funding for South Africa, citing land confiscations.

A much bigger worry than aid is trade: a quarter of South Africa's $15 billion exports to the U.S. get preferential tariffs under the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), according to a 2023 AGOA factsheet, while South Africa estimates AGOA makes up 2% of its total exports.

In recent days, Musk and Trump have discussed halting aid to the country. The president said "certain classes" are being treated "VERY BADLY."

Tech billionaire Elon Musk sparked widespread debate on social media after accusing South Africa of having "openly racist ownership laws". ・Elon Musk accused South Africa of having 'openly racist ownership laws' in response to a tweet by President Cyril Ramaphosa.