SA-US relations | Ramaphosa says Brigety handled matter undiplomatically

DURBAN - ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa is slamming remarks by US Ambassador Reuben Brigety as distasteful.

He was addressing party members in the eThekwini region.

The party's National Working Committee is in the province as part of its renewal programme.

READ: SA-US Relations | Brigety's remarks distasteful, says Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa says Brigety handled the matter undiplomatically.

"The United States remains the largest economy in the world and we trade with them.

"Therefore as a serious country, South Africa has to deal with the United States in a serious fashion.

READ: Expert says US, SA will get through rough patch

"That’s why when these issues came up, I decided to send an envoy to address the matter so the ambassador's statement came as a real disappointment to us," Ramaphosa said.

"I’m glad the Minister of International Relations dealt with him and the issue and we are prepared to deal with it along diplomatic lines."

* eNCA's Lethiwe Mdluli reports.