South Africa has quite a voice' on the world stage, Biden added. 'We have a lot to talk about. A lot is happening around the world,' Biden said, before press were ushered out of the room.
The president stood silent and smiled as press were ushered out of the room ahead of his meeting with Ramaphosa.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa stands accused of stealing millions and hiding it at a game farm. On Feb 9, 2020 about $4 million in cash was stolen from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo, and former intelligence officer Arthur Fraser openeted a complaint against Ramaphosa accusing him of money laundering, kidnapping and corruption.
Ramaphosa denied the allegations, saying that the funds were private, not public.
Ramaphosa thanked Biden for the U.S. help in the fight against Covid-19 and the vaccines he made available.
Biden at one point seemed to offer a subtle recognition that the two countries have their differences.
'We really need to make sure we fully understand one another,' said Biden, who heaped praise on Ramaphosa for his country's leadership on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of climate change and other issues.
The administration has been disappointed that South Africa and much of the continent have declined to follow the U.S. in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.