Trump Bans South Africa from Attending 2026 G20
The U.S. President declared the ban via his Truth Social platform, stating: "At my direction, South Africa will not be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida next year."
Trump further announced the United States would "stop all payments and subsidies to them, effective immediately."
The move marks the latest flashpoint in deteriorating relations that have spiraled since Trump's return to the White House in late January. The President has persistently advanced claims—firmly dismissed by Pretoria throughout the year—that white South Africans face targeted killings and arbitrary farm confiscations.
Wednesday's announcement followed Trump's criticism of South Africa's refusal to transfer the G20 presidency to a senior American diplomat during the summit's weekend conclusion. Pretoria had previously characterized it as disrespectful for President Cyril Ramaphosa to hand over leadership to a junior U.S. official.
Bilateral friction intensified in February when Trump signed an executive order freezing American aid to South Africa, condemning the Expropriation Act—land reform legislation enacted by Ramaphosa in January—for allegedly "discriminating" against the nation's white minority.
South Africa's government rejected the White House's position, declaring the aid suspension "lacks factual accuracy and fails to recognize South Africa's profound and painful history of colonialism and apartheid."
That same month, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced via X his boycott of the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
Washington expelled then-South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool in March, further deteriorating diplomatic ties. The removal came after the ambassador delivered remarks critical of Trump.
In May, Trump confronted Ramaphosa at the White House with conspiracy theories regarding "white genocide" in South Africa—claims Ramaphosa categorically rejected.
Ramaphosa, who had traveled to Washington seeking improved trade arrangements and diplomatic reconciliation, challenged Trump's allegations during their encounter. The South African leader dismissed suggestions that white South Africans are abandoning the country due to discriminatory policies, emphasizing that Black citizens constitute the majority of crime victims in South Africa.
Earlier this month, Trump announced a complete U.S. official boycott of the G20 summit.
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