The United States has reopened talks on potentially attending the G20 summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said. The shift reverses Washington’s earlier intention to boycott the event. Whether Trump will participate personally is unknown.
Trump previously accused South Africa of abuses against white farmers and white Afrikaners. Pretoria firmly rejected the allegations, calling them politically motivated. Despite the claims, South Africa continued its summit preparations without delay.
Ramaphosa said Washington’s renewed interest came at a very late stage. However, he believes the move is a sign of willingness to cooperate. He reiterated his long-standing view that boycotts do not advance global solutions.
Tensions intensified earlier when the US insisted that no G20 statement be issued without its presence. South African officials condemned the message, describing it as an attempt at coercion. They warned such actions could weaken global institutions.
South Africa’s agenda includes promoting inclusive development and accelerating the just energy transition. Ramaphosa urged major economies to engage fully in these discussions.
