United States President Donald Trump has announced that no U.S. government officials will attend the upcoming G20 Summit scheduled to take place in South Africa later this month, a move that has sparked diplomatic tension between Washington and Pretoria.
Trump, who initially delegated Vice President J.D. Vance to represent the U.S. at the summit on November 22–23, reversed the decision on Friday, stating that “no U.S. Government Official will attend as long as these human rights abuses continue.”
The president made the announcement via his Truth Social platform, accusing South African authorities of allowing the “killing and slaughter” of white Afrikaner farmers and the “illegal confiscation” of their land — claims widely dismissed as unsubstantiated.
“It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa,” Trump wrote. “Afrikaners are being persecuted, and we cannot turn a blind eye.”
In response, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) described Trump’s comments as “regrettable”, insisting that the allegations are “not supported by fact.” The ministry emphasized that South Africa remains committed to hosting a successful and inclusive summit under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.”
“The characterization of Afrikaners as an exclusively white group is ahistorical,” the ministry said. “South Africa’s focus remains on its positive global contributions and shared human solidarity.”
The statement also highlighted South Africa’s unique experience transitioning from apartheid to democracy, positioning it as a nation capable of fostering dialogue on global cooperation and equality within the G20 framework.
Trump’s latest remarks mark another escalation in his administration’s strained relations with South Africa. Since returning to office in January 2025, the U.S. president has repeatedly accused Pretoria of “anti-white” policies and has cited what he calls a “white genocide,” a narrative repeatedly debunked by independent observers and human rights groups.
Tensions have deepened over South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and Washington’s imposition of 30 percent tariffs on South African imports — the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
Adding to the controversy, Trump’s government last week announced plans to reduce the annual number of refugees admitted into the United States to 7,500, prioritizing applications from white South Africans.
Despite the diplomatic fallout, Pretoria insists the G20 Summit will proceed as planned, with participation from other major economies confirmed.
The 2026 G20 summit is slated to be hosted by the United States — at Trump’s own golf resort in Miami, Florida, a decision already generating ethical and legal scrutiny from governance experts.
