Breaking: US in talks to attend G20 summit after initial boycott. President Cyril Ramaphosa confirms discussions are underway in Johannesburg this weekend.
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa says US has had ‘change of mind’ but does not confirm Trump’s attendance in Johannesburg
US in talks to attend G20 summit after initial boycott, according to South Africa’s president. This signals a potential diplomatic turnaround. Cyril Ramaphosa stated the US has indicated a “change of mind.” However, he did not confirm if Donald Trump would personally attend. Trump previously vowed to boycott the event.
The US president Donald Trump claims South Africa discriminates against the minority white Afrikaner community. This group led the country during the apartheid regime. Earlier this month, Trump alleged “abuses” of white farmers. He cited violence and land confiscation. He called the summit location a “disgrace.” South Africa’s government denies these accusations. They are pressing ahead with the summit. It opens in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Why the US in talks to attend G20 summit after initial boycott
At a press conference with the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen and the European Council’s president, António Costa, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “We have received notice from the United States, a notice which we are still in discussions with them over about a change of mind, about participating in one shape, form or other in the summit.
“This comes at the late hour before the summit begins and so therefore we do need to … see how practical it is and what it finally really means. In a way we see this as a positive sign, very positive, because as I’ve often said, boycott politics never work.”
“We have received notice from the United States,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said. “We are still in discussions with them over a change of mind.”
The US in talks to attend G20 summit after initial boycott comes at the eleventh hour. Ramaphosa notes they must see how practical this is. He views the move as a positive sign. He believes boycott politics never work.
Diplomatic tensions remain high
Earlier on Thursday, South Africa’s foreign ministry spoke out. Spokesperson Chrispin Phiri accused the US of coercion. Reports surfaced of a harsh US diplomatic note. It warned that leaders could not issue a final statement without the US.
“Washington’s absence negates its role over the G20’s conclusions,” Phiri said. “But we cannot allow coercion by absentia.”
He called it a recipe for institutional paralysis. This friction follows earlier reports where the USA warns South Africa against making a G20 declaration.
The US embassy in Pretoria sent the note last weekend. It stated the US would accept only a “chair’s statement.” It rejected a full leaders’ declaration. AFP reported the note’s contents. It read: “South Africa’s G20 priorities run counter to US policy views.”
Reaction as US in talks to attend G20 summit after initial boycott
South Africa focuses on debt sustainability for low-income countries. They also want a “just energy transition” away from fossil fuels. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized these themes. He called them “anti-American.”
The US takes over the G20 presidency next year. American officials criticize the forum’s current size. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke at an Oval Office event. He said they have “whittled down the G20 back to basics.” He mocked the current forum as the “G100.”
Ramaphosa responded to these comments on Thursday. He welcomes a “G20 million” instead. He values involving the people affected by global decisions. Ramaphosa also addressed the issue of handing over the presidency. He does not want to hand it to an “empty chair.”
However, he is prepared for that outcome. He said he would symbolically hand over the reins to Trump. The G20 continues whether the US is present or not.
References “US in talks to attend G20 summit after initial boycott”
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CNN: White House signals potential shift in G20 attendance plans
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BBC News: The G20 split: South Africa and US at odds over policy
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The Guardian: South Africa says US boycott of G20 is ‘coercion by absentia’
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PBS News: U.S. now wants to reverse its boycott and join the G20 summit, South African president says
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Indian Express: US wants to reverse boycott, join G20 summit, says South African President
- Al Jazeera: Ramaphosa responds to US boycott threats ahead of summit
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