President Donald Trump declared on March 15, 2024, that no U.S. government officials will attend the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit in South Africa. This announcement follows Trump’s earlier decision to abstain from the event, with Vice President JD Vance initially slated to represent the United States. However, sources close to Vance revealed that he will also forgo attending the summit.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump voiced his disapproval of the summit’s location, asserting, “It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa.” He reiterated allegations regarding the treatment of Afrikaners, a group descended from Dutch and other European settlers, claiming they are being “killed and slaughtered” while their land is being unlawfully seized. Trump maintained that U.S. officials will not participate “as long as these Human Rights abuses continue,” expressing his intention to host the 2026 G20 in Miami, Florida.
The South African foreign ministry responded to Trump’s remarks, labeling them “regrettable.” They emphasized the importance of the summit and expressed optimism for its success. In an official statement, the ministry highlighted that the characterization of Afrikaners as an exclusively white group is “ahistorical,” and contested Trump’s claims of persecution, asserting that they lack factual support.
The theme for this year’s summit in Johannesburg is “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.” The Trump administration has consistently alleged that the South African government permits violence against minority white Afrikaner farmers. Earlier, the administration limited the annual refugee intake to 7,500, indicating that most would be white South Africans who purportedly face discrimination at home.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has countered these accusations, stating that the claims of discrimination are “completely false.” He noted that white residents in South Africa generally enjoy a higher standard of living compared to the Black population, more than three decades after the end of apartheid.
Despite these rebuttals, the Trump administration has sustained its criticisms of South Africa. Earlier this week, during an economic address in Miami, Trump suggested that South Africa should be expelled from the G20. This marks a notable stance, especially following Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to boycott a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting due to its focus on diversity, inclusion, and climate change initiatives.
The G20 summit, which brings together leaders from major economies, aims to address pressing global issues. As the event approaches, tensions surrounding the participation of the United States and the ongoing discourse about human rights in South Africa remain at the forefront of international discussions.
