Trump To Forego G20 Summit In Johannesburg, Citing Concerns Over South African Policies.
Washington, D.C. – United States President Donald Trump has announced he is unlikely to attend the G20 Summit scheduled for November 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa, opting instead to send a representative. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on 29th July 2025, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with South Africa’s policies, stating, “They have some very bad policies, a lot of people are being killed — so I think I probably won’t [attend].”
The decision follows a period of strained relations between the United States and South Africa, marked by Trump’s repeated claims of “white genocide” and land confiscation targeting white farmers in the country. These allegations, which South African authorities have consistently refuted, have been a point of contention since Trump took office in January 2025. The South African government, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has emphasised that its policies, including land reform initiatives, align with the country’s constitution, which protects the rights of all citizens regardless of race.
South Africa, holding the G20 presidency from December 2024 to November 2025, has themed its tenure “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” aiming to champion the development agenda of the Global South. However, tensions with the U.S. have escalated, with Trump’s administration criticising South Africa’s foreign policy, including its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and its ties with BRICS nations like China and Russia. Earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent boycotted G20 ministerial meetings in South Africa, citing disagreements with Pretoria’s agenda and its alleged “anti-Americanism.”
Despite these challenges, President Ramaphosa has sought to mend ties, meeting Trump in Washington in May 2025 to discuss trade and economic cooperation, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free access to U.S. markets for eligible African countries. Ramaphosa’s efforts appeared to yield a commitment from Trump for U.S. participation in the G20, with the president agreeing to the importance of the forum. However, Trump’s latest remarks suggest a reversal, raising concerns about the impact on South Africa’s presidency and the G20’s global relevance.
International relations experts have expressed mixed views on Trump’s decision. Andre Thomashausen, Professor Emeritus of International Law at Unisa, described the U.S. president’s potential attendance as critical to maintaining the G20’s stature as a platform for global leaders. Conversely, Ongama Mtimka from Nelson Mandela University warned that the U.S. stance could undermine South Africa’s presidency, potentially weakening the G20’s role as a forum for economic cooperation. South Africa has allocated R691 million (£30 million) to host the summit, aiming to advance priorities like climate finance and debt reform for developing nations.
The South African government has responded cautiously, with a spokesperson for President Ramaphosa noting that they “were no longer expecting him to attend in any case.” The Department of International Relations and Cooperation reiterated its commitment to a constitution that safeguards all citizens’ rights, dismissing Trump’s claims of persecution as unfounded.
As South Africa prepares to hand over the G20 presidency to the United States in December 2025, Trump’s absence could complicate the transition and cast a shadow over bilateral relations. Nevertheless, South Africa remains focused on leveraging its presidency to promote an inclusive global agenda, with support from other G20 members like the European Union and China. The summit is expected to draw leaders from across the globe, fostering dialogue on pressing issues despite the U.S. president’s absence.
