What You Need to Know
South Africa has condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to exclude it from the upcoming G20 Summit in Miami in 2026. The South African government views this as a punitive measure driven by misinformation that undermines global cooperation. Tensions between the two nations have escalated over various political issues, including South Africa’s stance on Israel and domestic policies.
Africa. South Africa condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to exclude it from the G20 Summit scheduled to take place in Miami in 2026, calling his stance a punitive measure driven by misinformation that undermines global cooperation.
Trump announced that South Africa would not be invited to the upcoming meeting at his golf resort in Miami. This announcement follows Trump’s assertion that South Africa is not a country deserving of membership in any international group, reiterating his accusations of the country’s alleged persecution of white farmers.
In response, Pretoria issued a statement affirming that South Africa is a member of the G20 by merit, emphasizing that the other member countries determine its position within the group. The South African presidency stated that it is a sovereign constitutional democracy and will not tolerate insults from another country regarding its membership and eligibility to participate in global forums. South Africa pledged to continue its participation in all G20 meetings.
Tensions between the two nations have escalated over various internal and foreign policy issues, reaching a crisis level after the U.S. missed the G20 Summit in Johannesburg last week. The countries have also disagreed on issues such as South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza.
While Trump rejected South Africa’s symbolic handover of the G20 presidency to the U.S. at the conclusion of the Johannesburg Summit, South Africa formally transferred the presidency in a quiet ceremony held by the Foreign Ministry to a representative from the U.S. embassy, stressing the need for Washington to represent itself “at the appropriate level.”
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has taken a hardline approach toward South Africa on several issues, particularly his false claims of a “genocide targeting whites” in the country. Pretoria lamented that despite numerous efforts by President Cyril Ramaphosa to reset diplomatic relations with the U.S., Trump continues to impose punitive measures against South Africa based on misleading information and distortions about the country.
Meanwhile, Trump has imposed a 30% tariff on South Africa, the highest on any country in sub-Saharan Africa.
The G20 comprises 19 countries plus the European Union and the African Union, contributing to 85% of the world’s gross domestic product and representing two-thirds of the global population.
The G20, established in 1999, is a forum for international economic cooperation, comprising 19 countries and the European Union. South Africa has been a member since 1994, representing the African continent in discussions on global economic governance. The recent diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the U.S. have roots in differing political ideologies and historical grievances, particularly regarding issues of race and land reform in South Africa.
