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Ramaphosa Defies Trump: G20 Summit Proceeds Despite US Boycott

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it clear the G20 summit will proceed as planned. He confidently stated that negotiations for the final declaration are nearly complete despite the US boycott. The diplomatic tension stems from Trump's accusations about mistreatment of white farmers in South Africa. Ramaphosa's government maintains these claims are completely false while pushing forward with the important global economic discussions.

Key Points: Ramaphosa Says G20 Declaration Will Proceed Without US

  • Ramaphosa insists South Africa won't be bullied by any nation over G20 summit
  • Trump accuses South Africa of mistreating minority white farmers
  • US implements rare diplomatic boycott of major global forum
  • South African government rejects claims of discrimination against white farmers
2 min read

Will not be 'bullied by anyone', G20 declaration will proceed: Ramaphosa

South Africa's president insists G20 summit will proceed with full declaration despite US diplomatic boycott over Trump's claims about white farmer treatment.

"The talks are going extremely well. I am confident we are moving towards the declaration, and they are now just dotting the I's and crossing the T's. - Cyril Ramaphosa"

Johannesburg, Nov 20

Insisting that South Africa will not be "bullied by anyone", the country's President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday took aim at the United States, insisting that the G20 declaration will proceed, with or without the United States.

"The talks are going extremely well. I am confident we are moving towards the declaration, and they are now just dotting the I’s and crossing the T's," the South African media quoted Ramaphosa as saying while replying to a question on whether a declaration would be issued following the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg this weekend.

Ramaphosa was speaking on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the G20 Social Summit in Boksburg on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump has announced that no American government officials will attend this year's Group of 20 (G20) summit in South Africa, accusing the host nation of mistreating its minority white farmers.

"It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa,” Trump wrote on his social media platform earlier this month, claiming that the South African government has allowed “abuses” against Afrikaners, including violence, killings, and land seizures.

"Afrikaners (People who are descended from Dutch settlers, and also French and German immigrants) are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated. No US Government Official will attend as long as these Human Rights abuses continue. I look forward to hosting the 2026 G20 in Miami, Florida!," he added.

Trump had previously said he would not personally attend the summit, which brings together leaders from the world’s largest and emerging economies.

The decision represents a rare diplomatic boycott of a major global forum by the United States. It also underscores the Trump administration’s increasingly confrontational stance towards South Africa.

The South African government has repeatedly rejected US accusations of discrimination, saying that white South Africans continue to have higher living standards than the Black majority population, decades after the end of apartheid. Ramaphosa has previously told Trump that reports of widespread persecution of white farmers were “completely false.”

South Africa currently holds the rotating presidency of the G20, with the United States set to assume the role next year.

Despite Washington’s absence, the summit is going ahead as planned, with world leaders focusing on global economic growth, energy transition, and development cooperation.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
As an Indian, I understand the importance of sovereignty. No country should be dictated to by others. The summit must go on - global issues need collective solutions.
M
Michael C
While I support standing up to bullying, I hope both sides can find common ground. The G20 is crucial for addressing climate change and economic challenges that affect us all.
A
Ananya R
This reminds me of how developing nations are often pressured by powerful countries. South Africa's stance is inspiring! 👏 The world needs more leaders who prioritize national dignity over foreign pressure.
V
Vikram M
The US boycott seems like political theater. G20 summits are about global cooperation, not individual agendas. Hope India plays a constructive role in bridging differences.
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, I think both sides need to tone down the rhetoric. International diplomacy requires dialogue, not ultimatums. The absence of any major power weakens the G20's effectiveness.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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