South Africa has revealed that the United States is now reconsidering its decision to skip the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg. President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed ongoing discussions but stopped short of saying whether President Donald Trump would personally attend. The shift comes after days of uncertainty triggered by Washington’s earlier declaration that it would boycott the event.
Trump had previously accused South Africa of discriminating against white Afrikaners, citing allegations of violence and land seizures affecting white farmers. South Africa’s leaders dismissed the claims as inaccurate and politically motivated. Despite the controversy, preparations for the first G20 summit hosted on African soil have continued without interruption.
Speaking alongside European leaders, Ramaphosa described the US outreach as a “positive sign,” even though it arrived just before the summit’s opening. He stressed that boycotts seldom achieve meaningful outcomes and reiterated his hope for inclusive global cooperation. South Africa has insisted that its G20 agenda reflects the priorities of developing economies.
Tensions escalated earlier when a US diplomatic note warned that the G20 could not release a unified final statement without American participation. South Africa condemned this approach, saying it amounted to coercion and undermined multilateral decision-making. Officials argued that allowing an absent country to influence proceedings would set a dangerous precedent.
Ramaphosa said South Africa remained committed to consensus-building despite the disagreements. He acknowledged the US will assume the next G20 presidency but emphasized that the forum’s legitimacy depends on inclusivity, not unilateral pressure.