President Cyril Ramaphosa today dismissed the United States’ decision to boycott this month’s G20 summit in Johannesburg, saying America’s absence would be “their loss” and would not derail the historic gathering of the world’s leading economies.
Speaking to reporters in Cape Town, Ramaphosa struck a defiant tone following President Donald Trump’s weekend announcement that no US officials would attend the November 22-23 summit – the first G20 meeting ever held on African soil.
“We will take fundamental decisions and their absence is their loss,” Ramaphosa said. “In many ways, the United States is also giving up the very important role that they should be playing as the biggest economy in the world.”
The boycott represents the latest escalation in deteriorating relations between Pretoria and Washington, which have clashed over multiple policy issues during Trump’s return to the White House in January.
The Trump administration has particularly criticised South Africa’s summit agenda, labeling the country’s theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” as “anti-American.” South Africa, as current G20 chair, aims to champion Global South priorities including climate resilience and debt relief for developing nations before passing leadership to the United States next year.
“They’ve chosen to boycott, and boycotting never achieves anything of great impact, because decisions will be taken that will move the various issues ahead,” Ramaphosa said, alluding to planned discussions on debt restructuring — a critical issue for developing nations.
The G20 boycott comes amid a broader pattern of tensions between the two nations under the Trump administration. The US president has repeatedly targeted South Africa on various fronts, including making unsubstantiated claims about systematic violence against white Afrikaners.
Earlier this year, Trump confronted Ramaphosa during an Oval Office meeting, screening a video alleging a government campaign against white farmers — claims the South African government categorically denies.
In May, the Trump administration offered refugee status to Afrikaners and flew approximately 50 to the United States on a chartered flight.
Washington has also criticised South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and the country’s Black Economic Empowerment policies designed to address apartheid-era inequalities.
The November summit marks a milestone for the Group of 20, founded in 1999, which comprises 19 countries plus the European Union and African Union. The bloc represents 85% of global GDP and approximately two-thirds of the world’s population.
Despite the US boycott, the summit is expected to proceed with participation from other major economies, including China, Russia, Germany, and France. The gathering will focus on addressing developing world concerns that have often taken a backseat to Western priorities in previous meetings.
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