Ramaphosa Hits Out at US G20 Absence, Says the Summit Will Continue — and America Is the One Missing Out
The G20, established in 1999, consists of 19 countries along with the European Union and the African Union.
The bloc represents around 85% of global GDP and nearly two-thirds of the world’s population.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed the United States’ decision to boycott the upcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg, saying the gathering of global leaders will go ahead as planned.
Speaking to reporters in Cape Town on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said Washington’s absence would not hinder progress at the meeting, which brings together the world’s major economies.
“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 US decision follows weeks of tension between Pretoria and Washington over South Africa’s summit agenda.
President Donald Trump announced over the weekend that no American officials would attend the event, which takes place from 22–23 November — the first G20 Summit ever to be held on African soil.
Global South Focus as Allies Follow US Lead
Argentina’s right-wing President Javier Milei has also opted out of the summit, following in the footsteps of his ally and financial backer, Trump. Milei’s spokesperson confirmed that Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno would attend in his place but offered no specific reason for the president’s absence.
As current G20 chair, South Africa intends to use its presidency to highlight key Global South concerns — including debt relief for developing nations and climate resilience — under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”
The US, however, has criticised this approach, calling it “anti-American.”
“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, referring to expected discussions on debt costs, a major concern for developing economies.
Strained Relations Between Pretoria and Washington
Relations between South Africa and the Trump administration have become increasingly strained in recent months. Trump has accused South Africa of targeting white farmers, repeating debunked claims of “slaughter” of Afrikaners.
During a meeting earlier this year, he reportedly showed Ramaphosa a video alleging persecution of white farmers — a claim the South African government firmly denies.
