President Trump delivered a stunning diplomatic blow to South Africa on Friday, announcing the nation would not be welcome at next year’s G20 Summit in Miami. The decision stems from Trump’s allegations regarding the treatment of white farming communities in the African nation, accusations that have sparked international debate and controversy.
In his social media announcement, Trump painted a grim picture of conditions facing descendants of European settlers in South Africa. His statement specifically mentioned Afrikaners and others of Dutch, French, and German ancestry, claiming these populations endure human rights violations including violence and property seizures. Trump characterized the situation in stark terms, suggesting government complicity in attacks on white citizens and the appropriation of agricultural land.
The announcement follows America’s conspicuous absence from the recent G20 Leaders’ Summit held in Johannesburg. While the gathering attracted prominent international figures, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other major world leaders, the United States maintained its boycott. This absence underscored the Trump administration’s serious concerns about South African domestic policies and governance.
Complications arose during the summit’s conclusion when questions emerged about the proper transfer of G20 presidency from South Africa to the United States. Trump alleged that South African authorities refused to conduct the handover appropriately with the US Embassy representative present at the event. However, South African officials explained that given the lack of an official American delegation at the summit itself, they followed correct protocol by completing the transfer at their Department of International Relations headquarters.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed regret over the exclusion decision while emphasizing his government’s commitment to diplomatic engagement with Washington. The allegations about persecution and violence against white farmers have been a recurring theme in Trump’s statements about South Africa, despite consistent denials and debunking by the South African government, white community leaders, and independent fact-checkers. The 2026 Miami summit will mark a significant absence in the G20’s typically inclusive approach to emerging economies.