US President Donald Trump has announced that no American officials will attend this year’s G20 Summit in South Africa, citing allegations of mistreatment toward the country’s minority white farmers. President Trump accused the South African government of permitting violence, killings, and illegal land seizures against Afrikaners. He added that he looks forward to hosting the 2026 G20 summit in Miami instead.
The US President had earlier confirmed he would not personally attend the summit, which brings together leaders from the world’s largest and emerging economies. His decision marks a rare diplomatic boycott of a major global forum and highlights his increasingly confrontational stance toward South Africa. The South African government has strongly rejected the allegations, pointing out that white South Africans still enjoy higher living standards than the Black majority. President Cyril Ramaphosa has described reports of widespread persecution of white farmers as completely false.
Earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also boycotted a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, criticising the forum’s emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and climate change. South Africa currently holds the rotating G20 presidency, with the United States set to assume the role next year.
Despite Washington’s absence, the Johannesburg summit, scheduled to take place on the 22nd and 23rd of this month, is expected to proceed as planned, with discussions focused on global economic growth, energy transition, and development cooperation.
