South Africa has downplayed criticism from United States President Donald Trump, who suggested the country should no longer be part of the G20. The remarks come just weeks before Johannesburg is set to host leaders from the world’s major economies for the annual summit.
Speaking to the BBC, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said South Africa remains confident of hosting a “very successful” G20 gathering. Trump, a frequent critic of South Africa’s domestic policies, will not attend the summit, and is expected to send Vice-President JD Vance in his place.
Trump accused South Africa of “mistreating” its white minority and questioned its continued role in the global economic forum. “South Africa shouldn’t even be in the Gs any more. What’s happened there is bad,” he said during an event in Miami.
The South African government has declined to issue a detailed response. However, officials have previously rejected claims promoted by some US political figures that white South Africans are the targets of widespread persecution. Pretoria noted that the idea of a “white genocide” has been repeatedly discredited and that crime statistics do not show whites are disproportionately targeted.
The G20, formed in 1999, has no legal mechanism to remove a member. Decisions are made by consensus, and experts say the likelihood of countries agreeing to exclude South Africa is extremely low.
“A host country would only not invite a member if there was broad consensus,” said Dr Andrew Gawthorpe of the Foreign Policy Centre. “That consensus is highly unlikely.”
Analysts also point out that major players such as China and the European Union have strong strategic interests in Africa and would resist efforts to isolate South Africa.
Meanwhile, Chatham House researcher Chris Vandome noted that Washington itself has often been a disruptive voice in G20 negotiations. “Other countries have sometimes viewed US obstruction as an opportunity to build stronger cooperation elsewhere,” he said.
This year’s G20 theme, chosen by South Africa, focuses on solidarity, equality and sustainable development. The foreign ministry says the country’s experience transitioning from apartheid to democracy positions it well to lead discussions on narrowing global inequality.
The diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington have intensified since President Cyril Ramaphosa signed legislation enabling the government to seize unused or abandoned land in limited cases without compensation. The majority of South Africa’s private farmland remains in the hands of white citizens who make up around 7% of the population.
Earlier efforts to ease relations included a high-profile visit to the White House, but negotiations deteriorated after Trump repeated unsubstantiated claims of targeted killings of white farmers. The US has since imposed 30% tariffs on several South African exports, the highest rate among sub-Saharan African nations.
Despite the strain, officials in Pretoria say South Africa will continue to pursue dialogue while preparing to host one of the most globally watched diplomatic events of the year.
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