NewStats: 3,261,977 , 8,175,746 topics. Date: Saturday, 31 May 2025 at 11:05 AM 3x6b4d

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWfwLJV7sRI?si=AJkeBwLotDItiOs5

European Union leaders announced a 4.7 billion euro ($5.10 billion) investment package during a visit to South Africa on Thursday, at a time when both are on worse with the United States than they have been for decades.

The European leaders said the visit was an opportunity to strengthen close ties with Africa's most advanced economy, coinciding with the latter's presidency of the Group of 20 nations, which U.S. officials have so far largely snubbed.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stunned European leaders with his pivot towards Russia in the Ukraine war, upending U.S. policy since Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022. His staunchly pro-Israel stance has brought him into conflict with South Africa over its genocide case against Israel at the World Court.

The U.S. istration has also interposed itself in Europe and South Africa's domestic politics, criticising Europe for attempting to isolate the far right and ignoring voters' concerns about immigrants, while cutting aid to South Africa over its efforts to address historic racial land injustice.

Ramaphosa, Von der Leyen & Da Costa quotes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8U3TynTVpc?si=tUcoOQVOpcY4rE2g

The EU trip was an opportunity to ameliorate ties, which soured when South Africa refused to outright condemn Russia's Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said South Africa had a vital role on the world stage as a leading voice of the Global South.

"In a moment of increased confrontation and competition, we must strengthen our partnership further," she said.

She said at talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape Town that Europe wanted to help the South African economy grow.

"Europe understands your potential," she said, sitting alongside European Council President Antonio Costa. She cited clean hydrogen, where South Africa could make use of abundant raw materials and vast renewable energy potential.

Ramaphosa said South Africa wanted Europe's to transition to a low carbon economy and grow industry, and that it valued European for multilateralism at a time of rising nationalism.

Good for them. After all, who owns the land owns everything. I was shocked to hear a South African minister saying on CNN that white minority of less than 8% population owns more than 75% of the land in SA. Most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.