A potential diplomatic standoff is looming on the global stage as U.S. President Donald Trump, currently the Republican Party’s leading candidate for the 2024 U.S. presidential elections, has hinted he may skip this year’s G20 summit scheduled to be held in South Africa.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during a campaign stop, Trump criticized what he described as South Africa’s “very bad policies,” and suggested he may appoint a representative to attend the prestigious summit in his place. His remarks come amid mounting tensions between Washington and Pretoria over a range of issues, from land reform to international legal disputes.
“I might not go. We’re reviewing it. Their policies are not good—very bad, frankly,” Trump stated. “We’ll see. I may send someone else.”
A History of Tension
Relations between Trump and the South African government have been strained since his previous term in office, with disagreements centering largely on land redistribution, economic empowerment initiatives, and foreign policy alignments.
During his presidency, Trump publicly criticized South Africa’s proposed land expropriation reforms, which aim to redistribute land to historically disadvantaged Black South Africans without compensation. In a controversial tweet in 2018, Trump instructed his Secretary of State to investigate what he described as “large scale killing of farmers” and land seizures—claims that were widely condemned as misleading and inflammatory.
The relationship further deteriorated earlier this year when Trump, now a presidential frontrunner, signed an executive order to slash financial assistance and bilateral programs with South Africa. The cuts were seen by analysts as retaliation for South Africa’s filing of a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)—a case supported by Pretoria but condemned by Washington, a long-time ally of Israel.
“The South African government continues to act contrary to American values,” Trump stated in a recent policy address. “We cannot be funding nations that undermine peace, democracy, and our allies.”
ICJ Genocide Case Adds Fuel to Fire
South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, filed at the ICJ, has been a key source of friction. The case accuses the Israeli government of committing genocidal acts in Gaza during its military campaign, which began in response to Hamas attacks. The move sparked strong condemnation from Washington, which called the charges “unfounded and politically motivated.”
For Trump, the case is not only an affront to Israel but also to the United States’ geopolitical stance in the Middle East. He has labelled it “a disgraceful misuse of international law” and accused South Africa of aligning with anti-Western rhetoric.
“They’re not just targeting Israel,” Trump said. “They’re targeting all of us who stand for freedom and security.”
Rubio’s Boycott and Growing GOP Hostility
In a sign of growing Republican resistance to South Africa’s policies, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio boycotted an earlier G20 foreign ministers’ meeting hosted by Pretoria. Rubio, a prominent Trump ally, cited South Africa’s “hostility toward American allies” and its “discriminatory” domestic policies.
His absence at the summit was widely interpreted as a signal that a future Trump-led administration could further downgrade diplomatic ties with South Africa. It also underscores a broader push within the GOP to reassess U.S. engagement with African nations perceived to be aligning with China, Russia, or opposing U.S. interests at global institutions.
Black Economic Empowerment Policy Under Fire
Washington has also expressed concern over South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies—affirmative action measures designed to address systemic racial inequality rooted in apartheid-era policies. Critics in the U.S., particularly within the Republican Party, argue that these measures unfairly disadvantage white South Africans and foreign investors.
Trump has previously accused South Africa of implementing “reverse discrimination,” and he repeated that charge this week.
“They talk about equality, but they practice division,” Trump asserted. “American businesses are being punished for not checking racial boxes.”
Ramaphosa Responds: “We Will Not Be Bullied”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pushed back against Trump’s criticisms, defending his government’s policies and urging the U.S. to respect the sovereignty of African nations.
In a recent press conference, Ramaphosa called on Trump to attend the G20 summit and engage in open dialogue rather than resort to political boycotts.
“South Africa’s policies are not only lawful but essential for our historical redress and inclusive development,” Ramaphosa said. “We hope our friends in the United States can come to understand this better through dialogue—not disengagement.”
Ramaphosa added that Pretoria remains committed to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with all nations, including the United States, but stressed that South Africa “will not be bullied or lectured.”
G20 Summit at Risk of Politicization
The G20 summit, set to take place in Johannesburg later this year, is expected to gather world leaders to address pressing global issues, including climate change, global inequality, and post-pandemic recovery. Trump’s potential absence could cast a shadow over the gathering, especially if other leaders view it as a signal of growing polarization within international diplomacy.
Some analysts fear that the former president’s withdrawal—if realized—could embolden other nations to politicize their participation, undermining the G20’s mission of multilateral cooperation.
Dr. Angela Mensah, an international relations expert at the University of Ghana, warned that Trump’s posture could “transform the G20 from a platform of solutions into a battleground of ideologies.”
“This is not just about South Africa,” Mensah noted. “It’s about whether global diplomacy can withstand the winds of populism and nationalism.”
What Comes Next?
As preparations for the summit intensify, all eyes will be on Trump’s final decision. Will he make a statesman-like appearance to reassert U.S. leadership on the world stage? Or will he opt for a symbolic snub that furthers his hardline foreign policy image?
Either way, the stakes are high—not just for U.S.–South Africa relations, but for the future of multilateral diplomacy.
By Africa Live News Editorial Team
For original reporting, updates, and analysis on Africa’s global relations, follow us on [insert social media handles].
