By Simon Nare
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has dismissed speculation that the United States’ boycott of the G20 Leaders’ Summit could further strain the already fragile relations between the two countries.
Ntshavheni told a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday that the boycott would not affect bilateral relations between the two countries, explaining that the summit involved multiple nations, whereas the US and South Africa maintained what she described as a “solid” bilateral relationship.
“South Africa has its own bilateral relations with the US. We have indicated that we deem that relationship as strategic and is important to us,” said Ntshavheni.
“They are one amongst our trading partners and that’s why we want to cement that. And to demonstrate the commitment from both sides to the relationship that’s why the negotiations are continuing.”
Ntshavheni said other countries were not being afforded the privilege of round-table discussions on tariffs and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) — a US policy that grants eligible sub-Saharan African nations access to the American market for various products.
“So, our relationship with the US is solid. Like in any partnership, there will be differences here and there — but those differences do not stop the sun from rising in the east and setting in the west,” she said.
Ntshavheni could not confirm whether a South African delegation would travel to the US to persuade President Donald Trump’s administration to further reduce the 30% tariff, as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the National Assembly on November 7, 2025.
She said only that bilateral engagements between delegations of both countries had been ongoing, with government providing regular updates. A proposal had been tabled, she added, and the US had responded — with a team expected to visit Washington to finalise the details.
Ntshavheni insisted that government was not losing sleep over Washington’s boycott, noting that world leaders were still attending the G20 Summit. She said this was not the first time the US had boycotted a major global event, recalling its limited participation at the G7, where representatives attended briefly before departing.
She suggested the US’s absence might even remove distractions from the summit’s goal of adopting a declaration. “They can do or say what they want — we are hosting the G20. Many leaders are participating fully, and we are confident that the summit will adopt a declaration,” she said.
Relations between South Africa and the US have cooled since Trump introduced sweeping foreign policy shifts and imposed tariffs on several nations, including South Africa. The US president has also publicly criticised South Africa over what he calls “white genocide” and policies such as Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment.
In withdrawing from the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Trump cited the “persecution of Afrikaners” as justification — a claim South Africa has consistently rejected.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said the US government should reconsider its decision.
“It is unfortunate that the United States decided not to attend the G20. But the G20 will go on. All other heads of state will be there. In the end, we will take fundamental decisions, and their absence is their loss,” he said.
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