Jeremiah Nyamane Mamabolo, South Africa's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), has expressed hope that President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit to the United States this week will help repair the strained diplomatic ties between the two countries. Mamabolo also emphasized the need for the U.S. to reconsider its high tariffs on South African goods, noting that the levies also have an impact on the U.S. economy. President Cyril Ramaphosa is on a working visit to the United States from May 19 to 22 at a time of heightened tensions between the two countries, sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's false claims about white genocide in South Africa, which Ramaphosa firmly denies. In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in London, Mamabolo shared his expectations for Ramaphosa's U.S. trip and his insights into South Africa-U.S. relations. Just days before President Ramaphosa's arrival in the U.S., the Trump administration offered refugee status to some white Afrikaners, with Trump claiming they are "victims of a genocide". Some of these individuals have appeared in the media arguing they are persecuted in South Africa, while President Ramaphosa responded by calling them "cowards". Weighing in on the U.S. high tariffs on South African exports, Mamabolo believed that these duties would affect South Africa, but also pointed out that they would impact the U.S. as well. Shotlist: London, UK - Recent: FILE: Pretoria, South Africa - August 2023 1. National flag of South Africa; 2. Union Buildings; FILE: Johannesburg, South Africa - Sept 29, 2022 3. Aerial shot of cityscape; London, UK - Recent 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremiah Nyamane Mamabolo, South Africa's High Commissioner to UK (partially overlaid with shots 5-6): "I think this is a historic visit. We are hoping to be able to reset the relations. I'm sure you're quite aware that it (South Africa-U.S. relationship) has not been that good. The two leaders are practical people who would want to take into account what is on the ground and what is in the interest and benefit of the two countries."; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Washington D.C., USA - October 2024 5. Various of White House, U.S. national flag; 6. Capitol building; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Johannesburg, South Africa - Feb 2025 7. Cityscape, traffic; 8. Buildings, cars on street; FILE: South Africa - 2024 9. Cityscape; London, UK - Recent 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremiah Nyamane Mamabolo, South Africa's High Commissioner to UK (starting with shot 9/partially overlaid with shots 11-12): "The purpose of the meeting is even to make these positions clear, because clearly this is based on not proper information. There isn't any genocide in South Africa, as you know. Those refugees really aren't refugees, because there isn't anybody persecuting people in South Africa. We don't understand why they are going out there and claiming to be refugees. And so, the president would stick to that."; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Johannesburg, South Africa - Jan 10, 2023 11. Cityscape; 12. Traffic; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: South Africa - Date Unknown 13. Various of auto assembly lines in operation; London, UK - Recent 14. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremiah Nyamane Mamabolo, South Africa's High Commissioner to UK (partially overlaid with shot 15): "First let me say those tariffs are going to affect South Africa to some extent. And it would affect America as well. If I talk about critical minerals, which are very important for your cell phone, for everything -- cars and [electronics], which are important in the transition to greener energy. You can imagine that the Americans would also want to continue benefiting [from] what they are receiving from South Africa. So indeed, we will suffer. Depending on the discussions and the negotiations we have, I think there will be -- in the long run from both sides -- a recognition that this relationship is vital as it links Africa to America, to the world. It is vital because it's a relationship that has been there all along."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Gauteng Province, South Africa - Date Unknown 15. Various of mining operations in progress; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: South Africa - Date Unknown 16. Various of port scenes; FILE: New York City, USA - October 2024 17. Various of port scene, Statue of Liberty. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]