Here Are Four Questions Left Unanswered by the Trump-Ramaphosa Meeting

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's official visit to the White House was packed with drama, instigated mainly by the host, U.S. President Donald Trump. South Africa's presidency had said the priority for this trip would be to realign its relationship with the U.S., but judging by the joint press conference (which turned into a public meeting), it seems the Ramaphosa-led delegation left with as many questions as they had upon arrival.

What started on a cordial note, with Ramaphosa presenting Trump with a voluminous repository of South Africa's golf courses as a present, devolved into the South African contingent having to defend themselves against Trump's continued, baseless allegations of a "white genocide" targeting Afrikaners and minority white farmers and land owners. Rather than engage with his South African counterpart's focus on trade partnership, Trump was intent on embarrassing his guest, pulling theatrics with video clips that do little to strengthen his allegations.

Despite the optics of the public meeting, Ramaphosa told the press that his contingent came out with its set target of achieving "re-engagement with the U.S., to put the issues of investment and trade on the table, and to ensure that we continue engaging through the various other formations." He also downplayed Trump's antics: "You wanted to see drama and something really big happening, and I'm sorry that we disappointed you somewhat when it comes to that."

A closed-door meeting was held after the press conference, which Ramaphosa said revolved around trade, investment, and golf. However, there have been no reported resolutions that signal relations between the two countries have improved. Without any tangible sign that the Trump administration will commit to better diplomatic efforts, Ramaphosa's mission to "reposition our relations" is still in the balance.

Here are four unanswered questions from yesterday's meeting.

Will financial aid cuts and trade tariffs be reversed?

In addition to cutting aid programs that assist many African countries, Trump signed an executive order stopping all financial aid to South Africa. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana told South Africa's parliament yesterday that the country doesn't have the funds to cover the over $430 million shortfall caused by the U.S. cutting all aid to the country. Unable to convince the adamant U.S. president that there's no white genocide going on, it seems there won't be a reversal of the executive order.

Is Elon Musk's Starlink finally going to get its license?

South African-born billionaire and Trump buddy Elon Musk has accused the South African government of reverse racism, stating that his satellite internet company Starlink wasn't given a license "simply because I'm not black." Before the White House meeting, it was reported that Starlink could be offered a license, bypassing longstanding ownership laws requiring corporations to be 30 percent black-owned. During the public meeting, South African businessman Johann Rupert stated that South Africa "need[s]" Starlink, a brazenly open invitation.

Will the U.S. keep bringing in white South Africans as refugees?

Last week, Ramaphosa called the dozens of white South Africans who arrived in the U.S. "cowards." The Trump administration noted that the refugees were fleeing genocide and were the first batch among hundreds of Afrikaners and white South Africans who had shown interest in seeking asylum. Although the Trump administration has made it a priority to forcefully remove immigrants and take away protections for asylum seekers, the focus on white South African farmers is baffling.

Is Trump going to attend the G-20 Summit in November?

In February, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to participate in the G-20 foreign ministers' meeting, citing South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa holds the G-20 presidency and will pass it on to the U.S. next year. During their public meeting, Ramaphosa said he hopes Trump will come to South Africa for November's summit, adding that he'll be "overjoyed" to hand over the presidency in person.