John Thys / AFP
The European Union offered its "full support" to South Africa's leadership of the Group of 20 before this month's talks in Johannesburg, after the spat with US President Donald Trump.
Trump froze US aid to South Africa last week, citing the passing of the expropriation law which he alleges allows land to be seized from white farmers.
Trump ally, SA-born billionaire Elon Musk, has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa's government of having "openly racist ownership laws".
South Africa will host G20 talks of foreign ministers in Johannesburg on February 20-21, which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he would not attend, accusing South Africa of having an "anti-American" agenda.
European Council chief Antonio Costa said he spoke by phone to President Ramaphosa and gave the EU's support ahead of the talks.
"On my phone call with President Cyril Ramaphosa, I highlighted the EU's commitment to deepen ties with South Africa, as a reliable and predictable partner," Costa posted on X.
"I expressed the EU's full support to South Africa's leadership of G20 and its ambition to strengthen multilateral cooperation and the Pact for the Future to address the most pressing global issues," Costa added.
There will be a meeting between the European Union and South Africa on March 13, he said.
