The United States has escalated its diplomatic row with South Africa after President Donald Trump declared that Pretoria will not be invited to the 2026 G20 meetings in Miami, an unprecedented move that sidelines Africa’s only G20 member.
The announcement, made on X, marks the first time in the forum’s history that a member country has been excluded. It signals a dramatic shift in Washington–Pretoria relations and raises concerns about Africa’s representation in global economic decision-making.
What the G20 is
The G20 (Group of Twenty) is a forum that brings together the world’s major advanced and emerging economies to coordinate global economic policy. It includes 19 countries and the European Union, representing around 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.
The G20 focuses on financial stability, sustainable development, climate policy, trade, debt relief, and global economic governance. It serves as a platform for leaders to address crises, shape international financial rules, and negotiate economic priorities that influence the global economy. South Africa is the only African country with an individual seat, making its presence significant for the continent.
A break with G20 tradition
Trump’s statement accused South Africa of being “unworthy of membership” and said all US payments and subsidies to the country would be halted immediately. He also claimed Pretoria refused to hand over G20 Presidency instruments to the US at the end of the most recent summit.
South Africa has dismissed the allegations, saying the US was not present at the closing ceremony and confirming that the required documents were handed directly to a US Embassy official at its foreign affairs headquarters.
Officials in Pretoria stressed that South Africa’s membership is backed by all G20 countries and cannot be revoked by any single state. They accused the US administration of acting on “misinformation and distortions.”
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated over the past year. The US boycotted the 2025 G20 in Johannesburg after Trump repeated claims of “genocide” against White South Africans. Washington also expelled South Africa’s ambassador in March, triggering one of the most serious diplomatic confrontations in years.
CNN reports that the Trump administration is encouraging Poland to take on a more prominent role in the G20, positioning it as a potential future member, an indication of a broader reshuffling.
A setback for Africa’s global influence
South Africa’s exclusion would significantly weaken Africa’s presence at a time when the continent has only recently gained a permanent seat at the G20 through the African Union. Pretoria has historically acted as a bridge for broader African interests, pushing issues such as climate financing, fair trade, and debt restructuring.
With the 2026 summit set to take place at Trump’s Doral resort in Miami, the fallout from this decision is expected to reverberate across international diplomacy, testing the future of Africa’s engagement at the world’s most powerful economic forum.
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