South Africa has revealed an unprecedented decision to temporarily step back from the G20 during the United States’ presidency of the forum in 2026, in a move officials say is intended to ease growing diplomatic tensions with Washington. The announcement was confirmed on January 27, 2026, amid broader strains in the bilateral relationship that have unfolded since early 2025.
The decision follows a period of mounting friction between Pretoria and the United States over a range of issues, including trade disputes, strategic disagreements and divergent foreign policy directions. Relations reached a flashpoint last year when U.S. President Donald Trump boycotted the 2025 G20 summit hosted in South Africa, the country’s first time chairing the grouping and the first such host from Africa, citing what he described as policies hostile to American interests. Trump later warned that South Africa would not be invited to G20 events hosted by the United States in 2026.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana confirmed the G20 withdrawal, framing it as a “temporary setback” designed to avoid a deeper diplomatic crisis with the United States. Godongwana and other officials emphasised that the measure is tactical rather than permanent, aimed at defusing tensions and preserving broader cooperation.
Political analysts say the rift stems from a combination of trade, security and geopolitical factors. Trade relations have been strained by disagreements over market access and preferential arrangements, while Washington has also criticised aspects of Pretoria’s domestic policy, including land reform rhetoric that the U.S. argues could undermine investor confidence. South Africa’s increasing alignment with the BRICS bloc, and its close ties with Russia and China, has further complicated relations, as those partnerships are seen in some Western capitals as indicative of a strategic drift away from U.S.-led institutions.
Security concerns have added to the tension. U.S. officials have raised alarms about South Africa’s security cooperation with countries such as Iran, particularly regarding training activities that Washington says could undermine international sanctions regimes and broader Western security priorities.
The withdrawal has drawn criticism from some African academics and commentators who warn of its implications for African representation in global economic governance. Koffi Kouakou, a lecturer at the School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand, told Radio France Internationale that the move sends a “very strong signal” and risks creating a void of African voice within the G20.” Kouakou argued that the G20, originally designed to bring together major economies from around the world, risks becoming a “G19” if South Africa’s participation is paused during the U.S. presidency, weakening continental influence on global economic issues.
South Africa’s decision marks a rare retreat from one of the world’s most influential economic forums and illustrates the complex interplay of domestic priorities, global alliances and geopolitical competition in an era of shifting international power dynamics.
South Africa will not be receiving a 2026 G20 invitation, US warns
