U.S. Announces Full Boycott of 2025 G20 Summit in South Africa, Says President Donald Trump
The United States will not send any government officials to the upcoming 2025 G20 Johannesburg Summit in South Africa, President Donald Trump announced on Friday, citing alleged human-rights abuses and land seizures targeting white farmers in the host country. Trump described the decision to hold the summit in South Africa as a “total disgrace” and stated that no U.S. representative—including Vice President JD Vance, who had been expected to attend—will travel for the event.
Trump reiterated claims that Afrikaners are being “killed and slaughtered” and that their land and farms are being illegally confiscated by the South African government. These allegations have been firmly rejected by South African officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said the accusations are “completely false.” The boycott marks a major diplomatic gesture by the U.S. and underscores escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
The summit, scheduled for November 22-23 in Johannesburg, is the first time the group of world’s leading and emerging economies is convening on the African continent. With the U.S. absent, the dynamics of the gathering may shift significantly and raise questions about the influence of the U.S. in shaping the summit’s agenda. Trump also reiterated his intention for the U.S. to host the 2026 G20 summit in Miami, Florida, positioning next year’s meeting as a stage for U.S. leadership.
Key diplomatic observers note that the boycott may impact bilateral trade and cooperation between the U.S. and South Africa, which the Trump administration has already pressured over land reform legislation, refugee policies, and tariffs. While the U.S. maintains formal ties with Pretoria, the withdrawal reflects broader shifts in how Washington is engaging with traditional partners amid rising global tensions.
