The United States will not send any official delegation to the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, a decision announced by President Donald Trump. The move, framed as a protest against the treatment of white farmers in the host nation, escalates a longstanding diplomatic rift.
President Trump, who had previously stated he would not personally attend the gathering of world leaders, confirmed that no administration officials would participate. This includes Vice President JD Vance, who had been slated to represent the U.S. but has now canceled his travel plans.
In a social media statement, the President called the choice of South Africa as host a “total disgrace,” specifically citing alleged “abuses” against the Afrikaner community. These claims include incidents of violence and land confiscation. The administration has consistently criticized South African authorities for what it describes as the persecution of minority white farmers.
As part of its immigration policy, which caps annual refugee admissions at a low level, the U.S. has indicated a priority would be given to white South Africans fleeing what it terms discrimination and violence.
South African officials have repeatedly rejected these characterizations. They point to socioeconomic data showing that the white population, on average, maintains a significantly higher standard of living than Black citizens decades after the end of apartheid. President Cyril Ramaphosa has directly told President Trump that the allegations are “completely false.”
The boycott represents the latest in a series of critical actions from Washington. Earlier this week, President Trump suggested South Africa should be removed from the G20 entirely. This follows a pattern, including the Secretary of State’s boycott of a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting earlier this year over its focus on diversity and climate change initiatives.