The White House on Thursday confirmed that the United States will not participate in the official discussions at the upcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Instead, a representative from the US Embassy in Pretoria will attend only the summit’s formal handover ceremony.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the decision followed critical remarks made by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, stating,
“The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa. I saw the South African President running his mouth a little bit against the United States and the President, and that language is not appreciated.”
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Ramaphosa Responds, Calls Boycott Ineffective
Addressing an event earlier, Ramaphosa said the US had initially signalled a complete boycott but appeared to have a “change of mind at the 11th hour.”
“Boycott politics does not work. It is better to be inside the tent rather than outside,” he remarked, emphasising that he welcomed US participation “in one shape or form.”
The summit marks Africa’s first-ever G20 presidency.
Trump Had Announced Full Boycott
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced that no US government official would attend the summit, accusing South Africa of “violent persecution” of white Afrikaner farmers—claims that South Africa has strongly rejected.
Ramaphosa had previously expressed disappointment that the US boycott would force him to hand over G20 leadership to an “empty chair.”
On Thursday, however, he said the presence of US representatives—even at a limited level—was a “pleasing” development.
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‘US Has the Right to Be Here’
Ramaphosa concluded that as an original G20 member, the United States was entitled to participate:
“All we are seeking to do is looking at the practicalities for them to participate.”
