<h1>EU and South Africa Strengthen Trade Ties Amid US Tensions; Focus on Green Energy and Vaccine Production</h1> Senior European Union officials met with South Africa's President to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties amid tensions from the Trump administration's policies. The summit, the first since 2018, focused on economic cooperation and addressing trade challenges. The EU announced retaliatory tariffs against the US following Trump's duties on steel and aluminum. The EU supports South Africa's G20 presidency, despite US criticism and withdrawal from clean energy funding agreements. The EU plans to invest in South Africa's green energy, transport infrastructure, and vaccine production. US Secretary of State Rubio has shown little interest in G20 cooperation, prioritizing other diplomatic engagements.