What You Need to Know
The White House has accused South Africa of exploiting its G20 presidency to undermine the foundational principles of the group. This follows South Africa’s issuance of a climate change statement despite strong objections from the United States. The U.S. administration is concerned about the implications of this move for future international cooperation.
Africa. The White House has stated that South Africa has exploited its presidency of the G20 as a weapon to undermine the foundational principles of the group, following the issuance of a climate change statement despite American objections.
The White House accused South Africa of refusing to facilitate the transition of the G20 presidency to the United States after the group issued a climate change statement against American objections.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pushed for a statement for G20 leaders addressing the climate crisis and other global challenges “despite ongoing and strong American objections.”
She added that President Donald Trump looks forward to “restoring legitimacy to the G20 in the year the United States hosts the G20 summit in 2026.”
The G20 leaders’ summit hosted by South Africa earlier adopted a final statement addressing the climate crisis and geopolitical and economic challenges, despite the United States’ boycott and refusal to participate in drafting the document, a move described by a White House official as “shameful.”
Overwhelming Consensus
The spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the statement “cannot be renegotiated,” emphasizing that South Africa worked throughout the year to draft it and that there was “overwhelming consensus” among member states to adopt the document, which represents the first statement issued under African leadership of the group.
Informed sources reported that the draft was completed on Friday without Washington’s participation, after it objected to clauses related to climate change, expanding renewable energy use, and alleviating debt burdens for poor countries.
The inclusion of climate issues in the statement is seen as a disregard for President Donald Trump’s stance, who questions the broad consensus among scientists that global warming is caused by human activities.
Argentina also withdrew from negotiations at the last moment, expressing reservations about references in the document regarding the conflict in the Middle East, which called for “a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the occupied Palestinian territories.”
The G20, established in 1999, serves as a forum for major economies to discuss and coordinate economic policy. South Africa’s presidency in 2023 marked the first time an African nation led the group, highlighting the continent’s growing influence in global affairs. However, tensions have arisen, particularly regarding climate change policies, as differing national priorities challenge consensus among member states.
The United States has historically played a significant role in shaping G20 agendas, particularly on economic and environmental issues.
