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Trump has singled out South Africa for criticism

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Ramaphosa could propose Tesla tariff reductions

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South African president will also discuss Starlink access

By Nellie Peyton

JOHANNESBURG, May 19 (Reuters) - South Africa's

President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to discuss business

opportunities for Elon Musk's companies during a visit to

Washington this week aimed at mending relations with U.S.

President Donald Trump, Ramaphosa's spokesperson said on Monday.

Trump has taken aim at South Africa during his second term,

citing disapproval of its land reform policy and of its genocide

case against U.S. ally Israel before the International Court of

Justice.

His administration cut funding to the country in February

and last week granted refugee status to a group of white South

Africans it said were facing racial discrimination - a claim the

South African government denies.

The two heads of state are scheduled to meet on Wednesday.

And South African officials have been preparing a trade proposal

to present to Trump to reset the relationship.

One potential proposal would be for Tesla - led by

Musk, a close ally and adviser to Trump - to receive favourable

tariffs on its imports into South Africa in exchange for

building electric vehicle charging stations.

"(It) could be one of the points discussed," Ramaphosa's

spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in response to a text message

query on the matter.

Asked about the question of licencing for Musk's satellite

company Starlink, Magwenya said: "Certainly, the issue will be

discussed."

The United States has pushed some nations facing tariffs to

approve Starlink, the Washington Post reported earlier this

month, citing State Department cables.

Musk, who is South African-born, has previously claimed

Starlink was barred from operating in South Africa because he is

not Black, an allegation South African officials refuted. South

Africa's telecoms regulator said in March that Starlink had not

applied for a licence.

Musk's false claim appeared to be taking a swipe at local

Black Economic Empowerment rules, requiring foreign-owned

telecommunications licencees to sell 30% of the equity in their

local subsidiaries to historically disadvantaged groups.

South Africa's Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, part

of the delegation travelling to the United States on Monday,

said he wanted to secure trade benefits for South African

farmers.

South African agricultural products currently enjoy

duty-free access to the U.S. market under the African Growth and

Opportunity Act. Under Trump's tariff regime, however, that is

now at risk.

"Losing these benefits would be disastrous for farmers, farm

workers and the economy at large," Steenhuisen said in a

statement.