The United States is not participating in the official talks at the G20 summit in South Africa, confirmed the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday. While addressing a press briefing, she criticised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for speaking negatively about the US, adding that President Donald Trump and his team do not appreciate such remarks.
White House hits back at President Ramaphosa
“The United States is not participating in the official talks at the G20 in South Africa. I saw the South African President running his mouth a little bit against the US and the US President earlier today, and that language is not appreciated by the President or his team," Leavitt remarked. Adding further, Leavitt also clarified that the US envoy to South Africa "is simply there to recognise that the US will be the host of the G20.” She firmly stated that the officials are not there to participate in the talks.
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“The Ambassador of the US to South Africa is simply there to recognise that the US will be the host of the G20. They are receiving that send-off at the end of the event. They are not there to participate in official talks, despite what the South African President is falsely claiming," Secretary Karoline Leavitt added.
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Trump on G20 Summit
Notably, President Trump had earlier announced that no US official would attend this year’s Group of 20 (G20) summit in South Africa. He cited what he described as the mistreatment of white farmers in the country as the reason for the decision. Although Trump had already stated he would not personally attend the annual gathering of the world’s largest economies, Vice President JD Vance, who was expected to represent the US will also skip the summit.
In a post on Truth social, Trump condemned the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, calling it “a total disgrace.” He claimed that Afrikaner, people descended from Dutch, French, and German settlers are being killed and their land and farms illegally confiscated. Trump stressed that no US government official would attend the summit as long as these human rights abuses continue. However, he also expressed his anticipation of hosting the 2026 G20 in Miami, Florida.
G20 Summit in South Africa
This year, South Africa is hosting the G20 Leaders Summit, with President Cyril Ramaphosa presiding from November 22 to November 23 at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. The Group of 20 (G20) comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with two regional bodies, namely the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU). To represent India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is embarking on a three-day tour to Johannesburg on Friday, where he will participate in the G20 meeting. He will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries and attend the IBSA meeting.
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