JOHANNESBURG – United States President Donald Trump has indicated he may not attend the G20 summit scheduled to take place in Johannesburg this November, citing tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
Trump made the remarks while flying back from Scotland, telling journalists aboard Air Force One that he was unlikely to travel to South Africa for the meeting of global leaders. The G20 summit, set for early November, will bring together heads of state and government from the world’s largest economies.
The White House has yet to confirm who would represent the US in Trump’s absence. Possible stand-ins include Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, or another senior official. No final decision has been made public.
Trump’s hesitation comes after months of limited US participation in G20-related meetings hosted by South Africa. American officials were absent at several recent gatherings, including those for finance ministers and central bank governors in KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces.
His stance also appears linked to South Africa’s ongoing diplomatic alignment with fellow BRICS nations, including Russia and China. Trump previously warned of consequences for countries that support BRICS-aligned policies. This week, he gave Russian President Vladimir Putin ten days to return to peace talks with Ukraine, adding further strain to geopolitical dynamics.
Meanwhile, Trump has continued his trade crackdown on countries he views as economically adversarial. He confirmed plans to impose 25% tariffs on Indian imports, despite ongoing negotiations between Washington and New Delhi. China may receive a temporary reprieve, but no final decision has been confirmed.
South African officials have been working behind the scenes to mend relations and encourage Trump’s participation in the G20.
Discussion about this post