The G20 summit in South Africa ended on a tense note after a diplomatic clash with the United States. The disagreement emerged when South Africa refused to hand over the rotating G20 presidency to a lower-ranking US representative, as Washington had boycotted the two-day summit but is scheduled to take over leadership for 2026.
US Boycott Creates Tensions
The controversy began after President Donald Trump decided not to attend, claiming that South Africa is following racist and anti-White policies and is persecuting the Afrikaner White minority. South Africa considered the US decision to send only a diplomatic official from its embassy as disrespectful toward President Cyril Ramaphosa.
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola stated that the US could participate if represented by someone of appropriate status. He said the summit was for “head of state, a special envoy appointed by the president of that country, or it could also be a minister.” However, he added that the handover of the presidency would still take place later, potentially at the foreign ministry.
Also Read: G20 Summit Highlights: India’s Proposals, Climate Finance Deal & US Boycott
Diplomatic Rift Widens
Relations between the two nations worsened when Ramaphosa announced that the US had changed its mind and wanted to join the summit at the last minute. The White House denied this, saying American officials would only take part in the formal leadership transition.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Ramaphosa of “running his mouth a little bit against the United States and the president of the United States.”
Declaration Released Amid Objections
South Africa also broke tradition by issuing the G20 leaders’ declaration on the first day of the summit instead of waiting for the talks to conclude. The declaration highlighted climate change and global wealth inequality, despite strong US objections to these priorities.
Also Read: Centre Denies Plan to Table Chandigarh Bill in Winter Session
