A diplomatic clash erupted on Thursday after South Africa announced that the United States had reversed its decision to boycott the G20 summit in Johannesburg. The White House quickly denied the claim and said that no US official would take part in the formal talks.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters that Washington had a last-minute change of heart. He called it a positive step and stressed that a major economy like the United States should be present at the summit. However, the US embassy had already notified Pretoria that it would not attend, saying South Africa’s G20 agenda did not align with US policy positions.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed Ramaphosa’s comments. She said President Donald Trump and his team did not appreciate the South African leader’s statements. Only the US ambassador will attend a handover ceremony, as the United States will host next year’s summit at Trump’s golf resort in Florida.
Trump has pulled the US out of several global gatherings, including the COP30 climate talks in Brazil. He has also targeted South Africa with tariffs and strong criticism while promoting claims about violence against white farmers.
Despite the diplomatic tension, US companies remain active in South Africa, with more than 600 firms operating there.
