President Donald Trump announced on Friday that no U.S. government officials will attend the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa. This decision follows his claims regarding violence and discrimination against the country’s white farmers, known as Afrikaners. Initially, Vice President JD Vance was scheduled to represent the U.S., but plans changed, and he will no longer travel to the summit.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed his discontent with the summit being hosted in South Africa. He stated, “It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa. Afrikaners are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated.” Trump further emphasized that there would be no U.S. representation as long as these alleged human rights abuses persist. He also expressed his intention to host the 2026 G20 in Miami, Florida.
The South African government responded to Trump’s comments, labeling them as “regrettable.” The foreign ministry noted that Trump’s characterization of Afrikaners as an exclusively white group is inaccurate and that claims of their persecution lack factual support. They expressed optimism about hosting a successful summit in Johannesburg, emphasizing the event’s theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”
Historically, the Trump administration has accused the South African government of failing to protect minority white Afrikaner farmers from violence and discrimination. During his term, Trump had restricted the number of refugees admitted to the U.S. annually to 7,500, indicating that most would be white South Africans facing discrimination. In response to these claims, the South African government has pointed out that white citizens generally enjoy a much higher standard of living compared to the Black population, over three decades after the end of apartheid.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has directly told Trump that the allegations of discrimination against Afrikaners are “completely false.” Despite this, the U.S. administration has maintained its critical stance. Earlier this week, during a speech in Miami, Trump suggested that South Africa should be expelled from the G20 due to its alleged human rights record.
The tensions surrounding the G20 summit reflect broader political dynamics, particularly in U.S.-South Africa relations. In a related context, Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, previously boycotted a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, citing concerns over the summit’s focus on diversity, inclusion, and climate change initiatives.
This boycott of the G20 summit signifies ongoing diplomatic strains and raises questions about the future of international cooperation, especially regarding pressing global issues. As stakeholders prepare for the summit, the focus remains on South Africa’s ability to host a successful event amidst these controversies.