WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has announced that no U.S. officials will attend the G20 summit in South Africa later this month, citing false claims about the systematic persecution of white farmers in the country.
The decision marks an escalation in diplomatic tensions between Washington and Pretoria, with Trump reviving long-debunked allegations of a “white genocide” targeting Afrikaners, descendants of South Africa’s first European settlers.
“It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “No U.S. Government Official will attend as long as these Human Rights abuses continue.”
Trump had previously announced in September that Vice President JD Vance would represent the United States at the November 22-23 summit, but has now withdrawn all American participation entirely.
South Africa pushes back
The South African foreign ministry quickly condemned Trump’s statements as “regrettable,” defending the country’s record on human rights and racial reconciliation.
“The characterisation of Afrikaners as an exclusively white group is ahistorical,” the ministry said in a statement. “Furthermore, the claim that this community faces persecution is not substantiated by fact.”
South Africa has chosen “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” as the theme for its G20 presidency, positioning itself as a leader in post-apartheid reconciliation efforts.
“Drawing on our own journey from racial and ethnic division to democracy, our nation is uniquely positioned to champion within the G20 a future of genuine solidarity,” the foreign ministry added.
Pattern of escalating tensions
The boycott represents the latest escalation in deteriorating U.S.-South African relations since Trump returned to office in January. The president has repeatedly targeted South Africa over various issues, including the country’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing the Jewish state of genocide in Gaza.
Earlier this year, Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during an Oval Office meeting, showing him a video that alleged systematic persecution of white farmers by the post-apartheid government—claims that South African officials categorically deny.
Last week, the Trump administration announced plans to slash annual refugee admissions to a record low of 7,500, while giving priority consideration to white South Africans. The president has also imposed 30 percent tariffs on South African goods, the highest levied on any sub-Saharan African nation.
Trump said he looks forward to hosting the 2026 G20 summit in the United States, which will controversially be held at his own golf resort in Miami, Florida. Rumour now has it that South Africa will not receive an invite to this.
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