President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States will not send any officials to the G20 summit set for later this month in South Africa, intensifying criticism aimed at the host nation’s policies and handling of minority rights.
This year’s G20 meeting, scheduled for November 22–23 in Johannesburg, would mark the first time global economic leaders convene on the African continent. Vice President JD Vance had previously been listed as the planned US delegate, but President Trump revealed the boycott in a social media statement.
The decision is linked to Trump’s condemnation of South African land reform and concerns about violence targeting white farmers. In his post, Trump claimed there is ongoing “violence and illegal land grabs impacting Afrikaner farmers,” adding, “Until these issues are addressed, the United States will not participate in the summit.” The South African government firmly denies these accusations.
Trump has criticized South Africa’s membership in the G20 throughout the year, calling for the country’s expulsion from the forum over alleged rights violations, a stance rebuffed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as groundless.
This week, Trump again pressed for South Africa’s removal ahead of the summit.
The US is set to host the G20 in Miami in 2026. Despite international criticism of the snub, the White House has indicated that the boycott will go forward, emphasizing the administration’s concerns with South Africa’s record on minority rights.
