Former US President Donald Trump has stirred a fresh diplomatic debate by declaring that he will not attend the upcoming G20 Summit scheduled to be held in South Africa. Speaking at the America Business Forum Miami in Florida, Trump questioned whether South Africa should even be part of the G20, arguing that what has happened in the country is, in his view, “bad” and grounds for exclusion.
His comments come at a time when South Africa holds the G20 Presidency and is preparing to host world leaders in Johannesburg. It is the first time the summit of G20 leaders will be held on African soil, a milestone moment for the continent and for South Africa’s international standing.
Trump’s blunt refusal to attend, paired with his criticism of South Africa’s place in the group, has raised questions about the future tone of United States engagement with the G20 under his leadership, especially if he remains committed to this stance as the United States prepares to take over the G20 Presidency in 2025.
Trump’s Remarks At The America Business Forum Miami
During his address at the America Business Forum Miami in Florida, Trump directly targeted the upcoming G20 Summit. He stated in clear terms that he will not attend the meeting in South Africa. According to his remarks, he has already informed organisers and relevant governments that he is not going.
He went further by arguing that South Africa “should not even be in the Gs anymore”. In his view, the situation in South Africa has deteriorated to such an extent that the country no longer deserves its place among the world’s major economic players who sit at the G20 table. While he did not provide a detailed policy breakdown of his concerns during the speech, the tone suggested deep disapproval of South Africa’s political and economic trajectory.
His comment, “I am not going to represent our country there. It should not be there,” framed his absence not as a scheduling conflict but as a deliberate political signal.
Short Summary
Key Point |
Details |
|---|---|
Main Statement |
Trump says he will not attend the G20 Summit in South Africa and claims the country should not be in the G group at all. |
Event Location And Date |
G20 Summit to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 22 to 23. |
South Africa’s Role |
South Africa holds the G20 Presidency from December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025 and is the first African host of a G20 leaders’ summit. |
Trump’s Criticism |
Argues that what has happened in South Africa is bad and that it does not deserve its place in the G20. |
G20 Membership |
G20 includes 19 countries plus the European Union and the African Union as a permanent member. |
US Presidency Of G20 |
The United States will take over the G20 Presidency from South Africa on December 1, 2025 and will chair the grouping until November 30, 2026. |
Official Site Link |
South Africa’s G20 Presidency And Historic African Hosting
South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2024. This rotating presidency gives the host country the responsibility of setting the summit agenda, organising ministerial meetings, and guiding discussions on global economic and financial issues.
The upcoming summit in Johannesburg, scheduled for November 22 and 23, will be the first time that a G20 leaders’ meeting is hosted on African soil. For many observers, this is a symbolic milestone that recognises the growing role of African economies and the importance of including African perspectives in global economic governance.
South Africa’s presidency follows India’s term, during which the African Union was inducted as a permanent member of the G20. That decision expanded representation for the African continent and was widely praised as a step toward a more inclusive global order. South Africa’s role as host is therefore closely tied to this broader push for global south voices to be more visible and influential in international decision making.
India’s Role In Bringing The African Union Into The G20
Under India’s G20 Presidency, from December 2022 to November 2023, one of the most significant achievements was the formal inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20. India also hosted the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, which was attended by then US President Joe Biden.
By the time South Africa took over the presidency, the G20 had already changed shape. The African Union now sits at the same table as the European Union, reinforcing the idea that global economic discussions must include large regional blocs as well as individual countries. South Africa’s turn as host is seen by many as a natural progression of that shift, giving the continent an even more visible role.
Trump’s remarks therefore resonate not only as a critique of South Africa itself, but as a challenge to the symbolism of a more inclusive global structure that gives Africa a stronger voice.
Trump’s Comments On Domestic And International Politics
In his speech, Trump did not restrict himself to foreign policy. He also criticised “communist” New York City Mayor elect Zohran Mamdani, using that label to highlight his broader opposition to what he describes as left leaning or socialist policies, both at home and abroad. He further noted that Miami has long been a haven for people escaping what he called communist tyranny in South Africa.
By linking South Africa to this narrative, Trump framed his decision to skip the summit as part of a larger ideological battle. In his rhetoric, South Africa is not simply a host country but an example of a political direction he rejects. This framing may appeal to his core supporters but risks deepening tensions with Pretoria and other governments that view South Africa as a key democratic partner in Africa.
The G20 Membership And Structure
The G20 is made up of 19 individual countries plus the European Union and the African Union. The member countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Together, these members represent the largest advanced and emerging economies in the world. The group’s central purpose is to coordinate economic policy, address global financial challenges, and discuss issues such as climate change, development, health security and digital transformation.
South Africa is the only African country that is an individual G20 member and now holds the presidency while the African Union holds a permanent seat as a regional bloc. This places South Africa at the heart of the summit’s efforts to connect global discussions with African priorities.
US G20 Presidency And Trump’s Miami Golf Club Plan
While he refuses to attend the South African summit, Trump has indicated his intention to host the 2026 G20 Summit at his golf club near Miami when the United States holds the presidency. The US is scheduled to take over the G20 Presidency from South Africa on December 1, 2025 and will chair the group until November 30, 2026.
If Trump is in a position to influence or lead that presidency, his choice of venue and style could become another talking point in the ongoing debate over how global summits should be organised. His refusal to attend the Johannesburg meeting sets up a sharp contrast with his ambition to host world leaders on home soil.
Diplomatic Implications Of Trump’s Refusal
Trump’s comments have possible diplomatic implications on several levels. First, they risk undermining the spirit of multilateral cooperation that the G20 is supposed to represent. Refusing to attend a summit based on criticism of the host country challenges the informal norm that leaders engage, even when they disagree.
Second, his remarks could strain relations with South Africa at a sensitive moment, just as the country prepares to showcase its diplomatic capacity on the world stage. South Africa may view the comments as insulting and dismissive of its efforts to contribute to global economic stability.
Third, other G20 members, particularly those in the global south, may see this stance as a sign that their leadership roles are not fully respected by all major powers. This could complicate efforts to forge consensus on issues such as development financing, debt relief and climate action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What exactly did Trump say about the G20 Summit in South Africa
Trump said he would not attend the G20 meeting in South Africa and claimed that South Africa should not be in the G group at all. He stated that he had already informed organisers that he would not go and that he would not represent the United States at that summit.
Q2. When and where will the G20 Summit in South Africa take place
The G20 Summit under South Africa’s Presidency is scheduled to be held in Johannesburg from November 22 to 23. It will be the first time that a G20 leaders’ summit takes place on African soil.
Q3. Why is South Africa’s G20 Presidency significant
South Africa is the first African country to host a G20 leaders’ summit. Its presidency follows the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent G20 member, and it gives the African continent a larger platform to influence global economic and political discussions.
Q4. Which countries are members of the G20
The G20 consists of 19 countries plus the European Union and the African Union. The countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Q5. When will the United States hold the G20 Presidency
The United States will take over the G20 Presidency from South Africa on December 1, 2025 and will chair the group until November 30, 2026. Trump has previously suggested that he plans to host the 2026 G20 Summit at his golf club near Miami if he is able to do so.
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