Experts say repairing the US–South Africa bilateral relationship won't be a simple fix, particularly as the Trump administration stands its ground on key reform demands.
The US remains firmly dug in on several core demands, making it unlikely to compromise on South Africa’s diplomatic ties with Iran, its land expropriation laws, including Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies.
This is after the US officials reportedly told the newly appointed South African Ambassador to the US, Roelf Meyer, that economic demands for an investment deal have not been dropped.
This is despite Meyer successfully presenting his diplomatic credentials in Washington DC, formally beginning his tenure last month.
The US core demands include the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), with the US demanding that American companies operating in South Africa be exempted from the policies.
