- The Trump administration will skip official G20 talks in Johannesburg, sending only the ambassador for a handover.
- US businesses attended the B20 event, while Trump continues to criticise South Africa on trade and policy issues.
The Trump administration denied South Africa’s claim on Thursday, November 20, that the United States would end its boycott of this weekend’s G20 summit in Johannesburg. White House officials stated that no US official will participate in the talks.
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa earlier described what he called an 11th-hour reversal by the Trump administration, which has repeatedly criticised South Africa over its treatment of white minority farmers.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the United States will only send its ambassador for a handover ceremony. She said, “The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa.” Leavitt added that Ramaphosa’s earlier comments criticising the United States “are not appreciated by the president or his team.”
Ramaphosa called the supposed change of mind “a positive sign” and said the United States, as the world’s largest economy, needs to participate. But the US embassy in Pretoria had sent a notice stating it would not attend. The message said South Africa’s G20 priorities, including debt sustainability for low-income countries, a just energy transition, and critical minerals for sustainable development, “run counter to US policy views.”
Trump initially agreed to send Vice President JD Vance, but later ruled out participation. The G20 summit is one of several major international gatherings the United States has snubbed under Trump. The administration also did not attend COP30 climate talks in Brazil, where it defends fossil fuels and rejects scientific consensus on global warming.
Trump has repeatedly criticised South Africa, citing claims, debunked by experts, that white Afrikaners face systematic violence. His administration expelled South Africa’s ambassador after he accused Trump of racism and imposed 30% trade tariffs on the country, the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
Despite the boycott, US businesses attended the Business 20 (B20) event in Johannesburg. Suzanne Clark, head of the US Chamber of Commerce, thanked South Africa for fostering “real collaboration between G20 nations during a time of rapid change.” The United States maintains significant commercial interests in South Africa, with over 600 US companies operating there, according to the South African Embassy in Washington.