The European Union and South Africa are holding their first summit since 2018, the latest step toward shoring up a shaky relationship in a world where both are currently the target of US President Donald Trump’s capricious politics.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Senior European Union officials were in South Africa for a summit Thursday with President Cyril Ramaphosa that center on bolstering trade and diplomatic ties as both feel the impact of the Trump administration's confrontational foreign policy.

The EU-South Africa summit came at a time of "global uncertainty ... characterised by rising unilateralism, economic nationalism", South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said in opening remarks that referenced a huge global shake-up since US leader Donald Trump took office.

European Union leaders met with South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa to strengthen trade and diplomatic relationships amidst tensions with the Trump administration. The summit aims to explore new economic and trade cooperation avenues and address sanctions and criticisms from the US government.

The European Union and South Africa held their first summit since 2018 in Cape Town. The EU plans to mobilize 4.7 billion ($5.1 billion) for investment in South Africa that will include money for green energy as well as for the manufacture of vaccines in the country.