JOHANNESBURG - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has departed for a working visit to the United States, where he is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump amid tensions between the two countries.

Ramaphosa is expected to arrive in Washington late Monday before meeting with Trump on Wednesday to discuss trade and bilateral relations, among other issues, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation said in a statement.

The visit comes at a time of strained relations between the two countries. Since January, Trump has repeatedly criticized South Africa, most notably by canceling the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief funding and claiming that a "genocide" against white South Africans is underway, an allegation denied by the South African government.

READ MORE: South Africa slams US refugee program for white Afrikaners as 'misinformed'

Adding to the tension, South Africa was hit with tariffs on its exports to the United States last month. Accompanied by four cabinet ministers, Ramaphosa aims to use the visit to negotiate improved trade terms and reset diplomatic ties.

Dawie Roodt, a senior economist at Efficient Group, a financial services company based in South Africa, said the upcoming meeting could be "difficult and tough" for South Africa as "the United States wants to put much pressure on South Africa".

Governance and political analyst Sandile Swana said the meeting, which is set to focus on bilateral, regional, and international issues, is also likely to touch on South Africa's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. South Africa filed an application instituting proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague in 2023.

ALSO READ: South Africa appoints US envoy to try to mend ties

The New York Times reported on Monday that Ramaphosa plans to propose the establishment of an independent investigation into claims of "genocide" during the meeting with Trump, citing South African Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.