President Cyril Ramaphosa has sharply condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that he would bar South Africa from attending next year’s G20 summit in the United States, calling the remarks “an insult” to the country and to the G20 as an institution. In a statement Thursday, the South African presidency reaffirmed that the country remains a full, active and constructive member of the G20 and does not require an invitation to participate. South Africa is the only African nation in the bloc.
The dispute follows South Africa’s successful hosting of last weekend’s G20 summit—the first ever on African soil—which the U.S. boycotted despite being the incoming G20 president. Washington also refused to sign the summit’s final declaration, objecting to key sections prioritizing climate action and development issues affecting the Global South. Tensions escalated when the U.S. suggested South Africa hand over the G20 presidency at its embassy rather than at a formal diplomatic ceremony. Pretoria declined, and the handover was conducted at South Africa’s Foreign Ministry.
The Trump administration has increasingly targeted South Africa since Trump returned to office earlier this year, accusing Pretoria of anti-American stances over its foreign policy. Trump has also criticized South Africa’s post-apartheid empowerment policies aimed at addressing racial inequality. Ramaphosa’s government said it will continue to engage internationally on its own terms, emphasizing that no member state can unilaterally exclude another from the G20.
