PRETORIA - South Africa's relationship with the US is at an all-time low. But President Cyril Ramaphosa says not all is lost.
He's confident the relationship can still be salvaged, and insists engagements with the Trump administration will continue.
The US has taken a bold diplomatic step of expelling South Africa's ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, over remarks he made about President Donald Trump.
READ: We are working on mending relationship with US - Ramaphosa
"Improving our relationship with the United States of America is a priority for us. They are our trading partner, second largest trading partner after China. We will therefore seek, as we must, to ensure that our relations are on a good footing. Which is one thing that we do with all countries in the world," Ramaphosa explained.
The President denies Washington is giving South Africa the cold shoulder.
"We are not being ignored. We are continuing to engage with them. As it is now, a great deal of progress has been made by our ambassador in strengthening out the path to ensure there are engagements at a diplomatic level. So, this is hiccup that we are working on straightening out," he added.
Expelled ambassador Ebrahim Rasool is expected back home at the end of the week.