President Donald Trump confirmed this weekend that he will not attend the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa this November, opting to send Vice President JD Vance in his place.
Trump’s attendance had been in question for months, given mounting tensions between Washington and Pretoria. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio boycotted a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in South Africa, citing what he called “anti-American” policies.
Those tensions have only grown. South Africa openly backed Iran during and after the 12 Day War and condemned the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear sites. Pretoria has also supported Hamas in its conflict with Israel by filing a “genocide” case against the Jewish state at the International Court of Justice.
Trump has also accused South Africa of committing “genocide” against white farmers, offering asylum in the U.S. to Afrikaner agricultural families. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa rejected the charge, though he has recently endorsed “land reform” policies similar to those that devastated neighboring Zimbabwe decades ago.
South Africa’s foreign minister, Ronald Lamola, downplayed Trump’s absence, suggesting he was “reluctant to travel a long distance” and adding that Pretoria welcomed the decision to send Vance.
The G20, which began as a platform to coordinate economic stability among developed and developing nations, has struggled to maintain focus in recent years. With South Africa currently holding the presidency, this year’s summit theme emphasizes “solidarity, equality, and sustainability.”
The U.S. will assume the G20 presidency following the Johannesburg summit, potentially resetting the agenda under Trump’s leadership.
