Trump says he will not attend G20 summit in South Africa

US President Donald Trump has announced that he will not attend the G20 Summit scheduled to take place in Johannesburg later this month, questioning whether South Africa should remain in the influential grouping of major global economies. The announcement has come as a surprise to many diplomats and observers, given the G20’s role as a central forum for global economic and political cooperation.

South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2024, and will host the leaders’ summit from November 22 to 23. This year’s meeting holds particular significance, as it marks the first time the G20 Summit will be held on African soil. Speaking at the America Business Forum in Miami, Trump said, “I am not going. South Africa shouldn’t even be in the Gs anymore because what’s happened there is bad. I told them I’m not going. I’m not going to represent our country there. It shouldn’t be there.”

Initial reactions to the statement are beginning to emerge, although the South African government has not yet issued an official response. Diplomatic sources in Pretoria and Washington suggested that discussions are taking place internally, as the remarks touch on both international protocol and bilateral ties. Analysts noted that the G20 typically functions on consensus, and the absence of the US President could influence negotiations and the tone of the summit. Critics in US foreign policy circles have argued that Trump’s decision may be perceived as a retreat from global economic leadership, while his supporters have framed it as prioritising domestic interests.

Factually, South Africa remains an established member of the G20 and is one of Africa’s largest economies. It has been part of the grouping since its formation in 1999. It is also the only African country represented individually in the G20, alongside the African Union, which became a permanent member during India’s presidency in 2023. There is currently no formal proposal or movement within the G20 to remove South Africa from the forum, and the country continues to play a recognised role in global economic discussions.

The United States is set to take over the G20 Presidency from December 1, 2025, and Trump has previously expressed his intention to host the 2026 Summit at his golf property near Miami. Observers say that his strong remarks on South Africa may resurface as a point of diplomatic debate when the US leads the grouping next year.

During his Miami speech, Trump also criticised New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, referring to him as “communist,” and suggested that Miami has historically served as a refuge for people escaping so-called “communist tyranny.” These remarks have led to reactions from political leaders and social groups in New York, who condemned his comments as inflammatory and misleading.

Further statements are expected from the South African Presidency, the African Union, and the US State Department later in the day, which are likely to determine how the issue develops diplomatically.