Trump Administration Considers Boycotting G20 Summit in South Africa

Edited by: Fatima Babadin

The Trump administration suggested on Tuesday last week that President Donald Trump may refrain from attending the upcoming G20 summit scheduled for November in South Africa, a move that could deepen existing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Pretoria. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump strongly criticized South African policies, particularly the ongoing land reforms aimed at addressing historical inequalities, as well as the country’s recent diplomatic stance toward Israel.

Relations between the United States and South Africa have been strained since earlier this year, following Trump’s decision to significantly cut American financial aid to Pretoria. This reduction came as a response to South Africa filing a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide in Gaza—an action sharply condemned by Trump’s administration and previously opposed by former President Joe Biden.

Despite these escalating disagreements, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa continues to emphasize the importance of Trump’s presence at the summit. Ramaphosa defends his administration’s domestic agenda, asserting that land reforms are essential to redress past injustices and dismissing American concerns regarding potential discrimination against minority landowners. The absence of Trump at this high-level gathering, following Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s earlier decision to skip a preparatory meeting in Pretoria, could further complicate the relationship between the two nations.