President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to what he described as a “regrettable” statement by US President Donald Trump regarding South Africa’s participation in the 2026 G20 meetings.
The Presidency said the 2025 G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg - attended by several heads of state and government - was widely regarded as one of the most successful gatherings of the forum. The summit concluded with a declaration underscoring the importance of multilateralism in addressing global challenges. Because the United States did not attend the summit, South Africa formally handed over the G20 Presidency instruments to a representative of the US Embassy at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Pretoria.
As a founding member of the G20, South Africa said it has always upheld the forum’s principles of consensus, collaboration and partnership. Ramaphosa noted that the US was expected to participate fully in all G20 meetings during South Africa’s presidency but chose not to attend the leaders’ summit “of its own volition”.
Despite Washington’s absence, South Africa welcomed the strong participation of US businesses and civil society organisations in related events, including the B20 and G20 Social.
The Presidency emphasised that South Africa’s membership of the G20 is recognised by all member states and grounded in its status as a sovereign democratic nation. It added that South Africa “does not appreciate insults from another country” regarding its legitimacy on the global stage and stressed that it would never demean the sovereignty or standing of another nation.
South Africa will continue to serve as a full and constructive G20 member and called on all partners to uphold the group’s multilateral spirit, consensus-based decision-making, and equal participation.
The Presidency also expressed disappointment that, despite efforts to reset relations with Washington, Trump “continues to apply punitive measures” against South Africa based on what it described as “misinformation and distortions” about the country.
The Presidency said the 2025 G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg - attended by several heads of state and government - was widely regarded as one of the most successful gatherings of the forum. The summit concluded with a declaration underscoring the importance of multilateralism in addressing global challenges. Because the United States did not attend the summit, South Africa formally handed over the G20 Presidency instruments to a representative of the US Embassy at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Pretoria.
As a founding member of the G20, South Africa said it has always upheld the forum’s principles of consensus, collaboration and partnership. Ramaphosa noted that the US was expected to participate fully in all G20 meetings during South Africa’s presidency but chose not to attend the leaders’ summit “of its own volition”.
Despite Washington’s absence, South Africa welcomed the strong participation of US businesses and civil society organisations in related events, including the B20 and G20 Social.
The Presidency emphasised that South Africa’s membership of the G20 is recognised by all member states and grounded in its status as a sovereign democratic nation. It added that South Africa “does not appreciate insults from another country” regarding its legitimacy on the global stage and stressed that it would never demean the sovereignty or standing of another nation.
South Africa will continue to serve as a full and constructive G20 member and called on all partners to uphold the group’s multilateral spirit, consensus-based decision-making, and equal participation.
The Presidency also expressed disappointment that, despite efforts to reset relations with Washington, Trump “continues to apply punitive measures” against South Africa based on what it described as “misinformation and distortions” about the country.
