By Simon Nare
Tensions between South Africa and the United States have escalated after US President Donald Trump said South Africa will not be invited to the 2026 G20 summit in Miami because of the disputed G20 presidency handover and his long-running allegations of violence against white farmers.
The United States took over the G20 presidency from South Africa on Sunday at the conclusion of the Leaders’ Summit, but Trump’s administration boycotted the gathering and did not send a senior representative to receive the ceremonial handover at the venue.
Instead, South Africa transferred the instruments of the presidency at the headquarters of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to a US embassy official, after objecting on protocol grounds to handing the gavel on stage to a lower-ranking envoy.
In a post on social media late on Wednesday South Africa time, Trump attacked the off-site handover and revived his false claims that white farmers in South Africa are being targeted in what he has previously called “white genocide”.
“To put it more bluntly, they are killing white people, and randomly allowing their farms to be taken away from them. Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will not be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the great city of Miami, Florida next year.
“South Africa has demonstrated to the world that they are not a country worthy of membership anywhere, and we are going to stop all payments and subsidies to them effective immediately,” wrote Trump.
While South Africa is a founding member of the G20 and doesn’t require an invitation to the event, Trump could instruct that the country’s delegation be denied visas to enter the US.
In a statement issued late on Wednesday, the Presidency said: “It is regrettable that despite the efforts and numerous attempts by President Ramaphosa and his administration to reset the diplomatic relationship with the US, President Trump continues to apply punitive measures against South Africa based on misinformation and distortions about our country.”
It said South Africa’s place in the G20 derived from the collective will of its members rather than the views of a single leader.
“South Africa is a sovereign constitutional democratic country and does not appreciate insults from another country about its membership and worth in participating in global platforms.
“South Africa respects the sovereignty of all countries and will never insult or demean another country or its standing and worthiness in the community of nations,” said the statement.
The presidency said the Leaders’ Summit was a success that produced an agreed declaration despite the absence of the United States delegation.
“South Africa will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20. We call on members of the G20 to reaffirm its continued operation in the spirit of multilateralism, based on consensus, with all members participating on an equal footing in all of its structures,” said the Presidency.
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