By Joke Kujenya
MOUNTING PENSIONS between Washington and Pretoria have cast doubt over United States (US) President Donald Trump’s attendance at the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa this November.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump indicated he might delegate representation to another official, citing continued opposition to South Africa’s domestic and foreign policies.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply during Trump’s second term, with his administration imposing a 30 percent tariff on selected South African goods and slashing financial assistance.
The White House has also directed its embassy in Pretoria to halt logistical preparations for the summit, signalling a possible boycott unless Pretoria shifts its diplomatic stance.
Disagreements span several issues, including South Africa’s land reform laws, its Black Economic Empowerment programme, and its support for Palestine in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Tensions escalated further when South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel – a key U.S. ally – of genocide.
Trump’s administration, like that of his predecessor, has rejected the claims and expressed dissatisfaction with South Africa’s alignment with BRICS nations and its growing ties with Russia and China.
Earlier this year, Secretary of State Senator Marco Rubio declined an invitation to a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Johannesburg, citing Pretoria’s posture toward anti-Western regimes.
The diplomatic discord reached another peak in May when Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House over unverified claims of white genocide and land seizures.
Despite the diplomatic chill, President Ramaphosa has urged Trump to attend the G20 summit, maintaining that South Africa’s policies are both lawful and necessary to address historic inequalities.
However, Trump’s latest remarks suggest continued resistance.
“I think maybe I’ll send somebody else because I’ve had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies,” he said.
South African officials have yet to respond publicly to the statement.
The G20 summit, scheduled for November, is expected to spotlight major global shifts, with emerging economies pushing for greater influence in world governance.
Uncertainty over U.S. participation adds another layer of complexity to an already fractured international landscape.
