In a dramatic late development ahead of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the United States has signaled its intention to participate after previously announcing a boycott.
The initial decision by the Trump administration to skip the summit stemmed from accusations against South Africa of “violently persecuting” white minority farmers — claims strongly denied by Pretoria. But just hours before the summit, Ramaphosa revealed that Washington reached out expressing interest in attending.
“The United States is a member of the G20, they are an original member of the G20, so they have the right to be here,” Ramaphosa stated, while South Africa now works to accommodate the US delegation.
However, a White House official clarified that although the US Embassy in Pretoria will send a representative to the formal handover ceremony transferring the G20 presidency back to Washington, the US will not participate in the summit’s negotiations or discussions.
President Ramaphosa has been vocal in criticizing the US boycott, warning that Washington’s absence threatened the summit’s ability to issue a joint declaration. South Africa had been pressured by the US to issue a limited statement instead of a collective communiqué. Ramaphosa pushed back firmly, saying, “We will have a declaration. The talks are going extremely well. Without the United States, the whole process of the G20 is moving forward. We will not be bullied.”
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed hope for a unified outcome but acknowledged the uncertainty remains.
The strained relations between the US and South Africa have been evident since Trump’s return to office. In May, Trump confronted President Ramaphosa at the White House with what officials described as unfounded allegations regarding violence against Afrikaners, continuing to accuse Pretoria’s Black-led government of “racist anti-white policies.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also skipped a February meeting, citing Pretoria’s agenda — focused on climate change, inequality, and debt relief for developing countries — as a misuse of US taxpayer money.
As the G20 summit approaches, the late US decision to re-engage, even in a limited capacity, may ease tensions but leaves questions over the future of global cooperation on critical issues.
We will keep you updated on all developments as they unfold.
Reported by Ehud Jones.
