President Donald Trump announced that no U.S. government officials will attend
the G-20 summit scheduled for November 22-23 in South Africa, citing alleged
human rights abuses against white Afrikaner farmers. He reiterated calls for
South Africa's expulsion from the G-20 and declared his eagerness to host the
next summit in Miami, Florida.
Trump Announces U.S. Boycott of South Africa G-20 Summit
As reported by Faith Wardwell of Politico, President Donald Trump declared on
November 7, 2025, that no officials from the U.S. government would participate
in the upcoming G-20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. This decision
followed earlier statements that Trump himself would not attend the meeting,
which brings together leaders of the world’s largest economies to discuss
global economic development and cooperation. Initially, Vice President JD Vance
was expected to represent the United States, but the boycott means that no
American delegation will attend at all.
Allegations Against South Africa’s Treatment of White Farmers
Multiple sources including Al Jazeera’s report by correspondent Tina Di Feliciantonio and Reuters noted that President Trump made unsubstantiated claims regarding human rights abuses against white Afrikaners in South Africa. He asserted:
“Afrikaners, who are descendants of Dutch settlers as well as French and German immigrants, are being killed, slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated.”
Trump described it as a “total
disgrace” that the G-20 summit is convening in South Africa under such
circumstances.
South African authorities have categorically denied these
allegations, stating that recent crime statistics do not indicate that white
citizens are disproportionately targeted for violent crimes. The South African
government and Afrikaner community leaders have dismissed the claims as
unfounded.
U.S. Political Context and Trump's Position
According to Deutsche Welle's report by Michael Stang, Trump's refusal to send a U.S. delegation reflects a broader political stance. He criticized South Africa's membership in the G-20, stating at a Miami business conference that
“Africa shouldn’t even be in the G20 anymore, because what’s happened there is bad.”
Trump’s administration had suggested expelling South Africa from the group, with Trump emphasizing that the U.S. will not participate
“as long as these human rights abuses continue.”
Vice President JD Vance’s Cancelled Trip
Reuters and DW report that JD Vance, originally appointed to attend the summit
in Trump’s place, will not be travelling to South Africa. An unnamed official
cited by Reuters confirmed the Vice President has no plans for international
travel in the near term, effectively confirming the U.S. boycott.
Implications for G-20 and Future Summits
The Group of 20 presidency rotates annually, and South Africa took over this
year’s agenda-setting after its founding in 1999 as Africa’s representative in
the G-20. Donald Trump noted his anticipation of hosting the next G-20 summit
scheduled in 2026 at his Miami golf resort, continuing a practice from his
prior term as U.S. President.
South African officials, including Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya as covered by the BBC, remain optimistic about successfully hosting the summit despite the U.S. decision, underscoring the event’s importance for global cooperation. Magwenya highlighted South Africa’s commitment to inclusivity throughout its tenure as G-20 host.