US EditionWhite House hits out at South African leader for ‘running his mouth’ over US boycott of G20
The U.S. boycott stems from disputes over South Africa's treatment of Afrikaners and diplomatic representation, with the U.S. refusing official talks but attending a ceremonial handover, White House said.
- On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was `running his mouth a little bit` and confirmed the U.S. will skip G20 talks in Johannesburg, sending only a U.S. Embassy in Pretoria representative for the ceremonial handover.
- President Donald Trump alleged that white Afrikaner farmers faced killings and land seizures in South Africa, but the South African government and some Afrikaner white minority members rejected these claims as misinformation.
- In a three-page diplomatic note, the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria requested permission to send eight diplomats to the G20 closing session, plus a convoy and full security support, but South African Presidency spokespersons rejected the request.
- Analysts say the boycott could undermine the first G20 leaders meeting in Africa and South Africa's agenda, while it is unclear if a formal summit declaration or next year's Miami G20 summit legitimacy will hold.
- South Africa, as G20 leader, is pressing for progress on global inequality and debt distress, highlighted in an early draft G20 declaration in recent weeks.
74 Articles
74 Articles
US Holds First G20 Sherpa Meeting Without South Africa, Launches Working Groups on Economic Priorities
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. Ahead of hosting the G20 Summit in Miami, Florida, next year, the United States convened its first G20 Sherpa meeting as the 2026 Presidency host in Washington, notably without participation from South Africa, the outgoing 2025 chair, amid a sharp recalibration of the forum under US President Donald Trump. World News | US Holds First G20 Sherpa Meeting Without South Africa, Launches Working G…
Can the World Move On Without the U.S.? G20 Leaders Gave It a Shot.
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa could not contain his laughter. A reporter asked him to confirm reports that the United States had dropped its boycott and asked to participate in the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg just two days before it was set to start. The South African leader barely uttered a word before breaking down in laughter, eventually composing himself and saying he had received a note from the Americans “about a change …
South African government marks US ‘absent’ for G20 leaders summit – The Mail & Guardian
The South African government has urged the media not to be “obsessed” with the United States’ decision not to attend the G20 Leaders Summit this week, insisting that the focus should be on what will be discussed at the forum. The US initially indicated it would boycott the summit with neither President Donald Trump nor a senior member of his administration attending, but earlier this week, Pretoria said the US had signalled its desire to now be …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
