United States Assumes G20 Presidency Amid Diplomatic Rift with South Africa

Reuters

A U.S. flag is placed near the G20 South Africa 2025 sign in the media area, on the day of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, 23 November 2025.

The United States on Monday assumed the 12-month presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies, taking over from South Africa in the midst of a deepening diplomatic dispute between the two countries. Washington said it intends to centre its agenda on promoting global economic growth and prosperity.

In a statement issued by the U.S. State Department, the new presidency pledged to deliver “much-needed reforms” and to “return the G20 to focus on its core mission of driving economic growth and prosperity to produce results”.

“We will prioritise three core themes: unleashing economic prosperity by limiting regulatory burdens, unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering new technologies and innovations,” the statement said.

Next year’s G20 summit is scheduled to be held in Miami at a golf resort owned by U.S. President Donald Trump. President Trump said last week that he would not invite South Africa to the gathering. Washington boycotted this year’s summit in Pretoria, accusing South Africa of weaponising its leadership of the group.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday dismissed President Trump’s remarks, insisting that his country remained a “full, active and constructive” member of the G20. He also rejected as “blatant misinformation” President Trump’s repeated claims that South Africa is carrying out “genocide against Afrikaners” — descendants of Dutch settlers — or confiscating land from white citizens.

The United States did not attend the 22–23 November summit after the U.S. President directed officials to boycott the event, citing his widely debunked allegations that South Africa’s Black-majority government persecutes the white minority. Despite Washington’s absence, G20 leaders adopted a joint declaration addressing the climate crisis and other global challenges.

President Trump said on Wednesday that South Africa would not be invited to the 2025 summit, alleging it had refused to hand over the presidency to a senior U.S. representative at the closing ceremony. Pretoria maintains it transferred the rotating presidency to an official from the U.S. Embassy.

The decision to exclude South Africa has caused divisions within the G20. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would attempt to persuade President Trump to reconsider the move.

Source: Reuters



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