PETER BRUCE | Trump tantrums are a gift to Ramaphosa

US President Donald Trump's snubs of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, including refusing high-level attendance and insulting President Cyril Ramaphosa, have unexpectedly boosted Ramaphosa's domestic image as he defiantly refuses to hand over the gavel to a junior US official. This stance has rallied disillusioned South African voters amid ANC corruption woes, portraying Ramaphosa as unyielding against perceived US bullying. However, South Africa lacks a functioning ambassador in Washington since 2021 due to Ramaphosa's failed appointments, hampering diplomatic countermeasures. This negligence leaves the country vulnerable to ongoing US pressures, potentially undermining any short-term political gains.