Trump Bans South Africa From G20 Summit Amidst Tensions
In a move certain to escalate already strained relations, US President Donald Trump has declared that South Africa will not receive an invitation to the next G20 summit, scheduled to be held in Miami next year. The decision comes alongside Trump's announcement that all payments and subsidies to South Africa will be immediately halted.
The US President cited a perceived slight during the handover of the G20 presidency as a primary reason for the drastic action. "At the conclusion of the G20, South Africa refused to hand off the G20 presidency to a senior representative from our US embassy, who attended the closing ceremony," Trump stated in a social media post. "Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida, next year."
Trump further justified his decision by alleging human rights abuses against Afrikaners in South Africa. He claimed that the US did not attend the G20 summit because "the South African government refuses to acknowledge or address the horrific human right abuses endured by Afrikaners".
In a particularly inflammatory statement, Trump asserted that the South African government is, "to put it more bluntly…killing white people, and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them." These remarks have been met with strong condemnation in South Africa, where they are viewed as perpetuating harmful and inaccurate stereotypes.
The South African Presidency has responded to Trump's pronouncements with disappointment and concern. President Cyril Ramaphosa "has noted the regrettable statement" issued by his US counterpart, according to an official statement.
The Presidency sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding the G20 presidency handover. It stated that, since the United States was not present at the summit, the instruments of the G20 presidency were "duly handed over to a US embassy official at the headquarters of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation."
The South African government also defended its record as a G20 member. "As a founding member, South Africa has always valued the spirit of consensus, collaboration and partnership that defines the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation," the statement read. "In keeping with this approach, the United States was expected to participate in all meetings of the G20 during South Africa’s presidency and elected not to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg out of its own volition. South Africa is a member of the G20 in its own name and right. Its G20 membership is at the behest of all other members."
Despite the snub, the Presidency affirmed that South Africa "will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20".
The statement from the Presidency also highlighted the success of the recent G20 summit hosted by South Africa. "The G20 South Africa 2025 Leaders’ Summit was hailed by all members who attended as one of the most successful summits. The summit produced a declaration that affirmed the indisputable strength and value of multilateralism in response to the most pressing challenges facing the world," it asserted.
The South African government expressed regret over the continued deterioration of relations with the US under President Trump's leadership. "It is regrettable that despite the efforts and numerous attempts by President Ramaphosa and his administration to reset the diplomatic relationship with the US, President Trump continues to apply punitive measures against South Africa based on misinformation and distortions about our country," the Presidency concluded.
The implications of Trump's decision remain to be seen, but it is likely to further strain diplomatic ties between the two countries and could have significant economic consequences for South Africa, given the cessation of US payments and subsidies. The move has sparked debate about the future of South Africa's relationship with the United States and its role on the global stage.
Follow Us on Twitter
