Ramaphosa arrived in Washington, DC, on Monday and will receive briefings from several South African ministers who are in the US to support the visit. 

Further details of the meeting are expected later on Tuesday, with discussions likely to focus on strengthening economic ties between the two nations. 

Key topics may include the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the possibility of a new bilateral trade agreement. 

Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau will play a central role in trade talks. He is joined by Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Ronald Lamola, who arrives in the US after bilateral meetings in France and the Netherlands. 

The Department of International Relations has clarified that misinformation will not be the focus of the meeting.

This includes unfounded claims about “white genocide” in SA, which have contributed to tensions between the two countries.

Department Spokesperson Clayson Monyela says the focus will be on strengthening co-operation.

"We’ve got an embassy in Washington, DC, as you know. They also have an embassy in Pretoria, and there’s been a lot of engagement through diplomatic channels to clarify, explain and contextualise some of these issues that have been in the public domain."

"So we’ve moved from there. This meeting is about how we enhance this strategic relationship between the two countries to the benefit of the people of the two nations," he adds. 

--SABC--