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South Africa Pushes G20 Agenda Amid US Absence and Rising Tensions
As South Africa prepares to host the G20 summit this weekend-the first African nation to do so-its ambitions to prioritize developing-world concerns face a major setback: the absence of the United States. President Donald Trump's decision to skip the event, citing unsubstantiated claims of violence against South Africa's white minority, has overshadowed discussions on debt relief, climate financing, and critical mineral trade reforms.
Key Goals at Risk
South Africa had aimed to use its G20 presidency to address systemic inequities, including the higher borrowing costs faced by developing nations-often two to four times the rates paid by wealthier economies. Other priorities included securing climate change funding, expanding African representation in global forums, and maximizing local benefits from critical mineral exports through domestic processing.
However, diplomatic tensions with the US have escalated over the past year, marked by the expulsion of South Africa's ambassador to Washington, reduced aid, and a 30% tariff-the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. The US initially planned to send Vice President JD Vance before reversing course entirely, only to announce, less than 48 hours before the summit, that a small diplomatic team would attend the handover ceremony but avoid substantive discussions.
Defiance and Diplomacy
Pretoria has maintained a resolute stance, dismissing claims of a "white genocide" and asserting the summit's independence from US participation. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana underscored South Africa's permanent G20 membership, stating that exclusion would require visa denials-a scenario he deemed unlikely. "We don't need an invitation from anybody," he told reporters.
"Ironically, the absence of President Trump may create more space for real consensus, because people won't be constantly looking over their shoulder at him."
Richard Calland, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the remaining members could still adopt a leaders' declaration-a document outlining collective commitments on trade, technology, and climate action. "The institution cannot be bogged down by someone who's absent," he said.
Wider Absences and Shifting Dynamics
Trump is not the only leader skipping the summit. China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin (due to an ICC warrant), Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum, and Argentinian President Javier Milei (in solidarity with the US) will also be absent. However, unlike the US, these nations are sending high-level delegations.
Lamola downplayed the significance of the no-shows, calling them "nothing abnormal." Meanwhile, France, the UK, and the EU have reaffirmed support for South Africa's presidency, with the latter signing a deal on Thursday to boost local processing of critical minerals-a long-standing African demand to retain economic value.
The Broader Debate on Multilateralism
The summit underscores a deeper divide over the efficacy of multilateral institutions. While Trump and allies favor bilateral deals, South Africa and other developing nations argue that global challenges-like debt restructuring and climate change-require coordinated action through bodies like the IMF.
"Human life on Earth is facing existential challenges-climate change, demographic shifts, technological revolutions. You can't address them without international collaboration."
Richard Calland
As the last G20 presidency from the Global South in this cycle, South Africa's ability to secure a joint declaration could signal whether consensus is possible without the world's most powerful nation at the table.
