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Ramaphosa Back in South Africa After G7 Meet Sans Meeting with Trump

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Ramaphosa Back in South Africa After G7 Meet Sans Meeting with Trump

(3 Minutes Read)

But Trump left the summit a day early, citing the explosive situation in the Middle East as the reason for his return to the United States.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa concluded his visit to Canada on Tuesday. Canada had hosted the G7 summit, during which non-G7 members like South Africa attended the G7 Leaders’ Outreach Summit, focusing on issues such as energy security.

According to the South African presidency, Ramaphosa strengthened ties with the host nation, Canada, and worked on strategic alignment with other G7 members.

Although highly anticipated and floated by Ramaphosa before the summit, a bilateral meeting between the South African leader and US President Trump did not take place.

The meeting would have come as a potential opportunity to improve relations after a disastrous White House visit by Ramaphosa in May, during which Trump accused South Africa without proof of committing a “genocide” against white South Africans.

But Trump left the summit a day early, citing the explosive situation in the Middle East as the reason for his return to the United States.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in his final remarks Tuesday evening that Trump’s early exit was about the “extraordinary” situation in the Middle East, not anything that occurred during the summit. “There was no problem,” Canada’s prime minister said. “Mr. Trump felt it was better to be in Washington, and I can understand that.”

Zelenskyy had been set to meet with Trump while world leaders were gathering in the Canadian Rocky Mountain resort of Kananaskis, but that was scrapped. The US also previously signed an agreement granting American access to Ukraine’s vast mineral resources.

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The summit was also largely overshadowed by a showdown over Iran’s nuclear program that could escalate. Israel launched an aerial bombardment campaign against Iran, and Iran has hit back with missiles and drones.