The United States has firmly denied any reversal on its boycott of the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, despite claims from President Cyril Ramaphosa suggesting a last-minute change of heart. In a terse White House statement on November 20, 2025, officials confirmed that only the U.S. chargé d’affaires in Pretoria, Marc D. Dillard, will attend the formal handover ceremony on November 23 as a procedural formality—marking the transition of the G20 presidency to Washington on December 1. This low-level presence underscores America’s refusal to engage in substantive discussions, with the administration opposing any joint Leaders’ Declaration without its input.
Tensions escalated when Ramaphosa, speaking after a meeting with EU leaders, told reporters the U.S. had signaled willingness to join at the “11th hour,” citing recent communications. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt swiftly rebuked the assertion, labeling it “fake news” and accusing Ramaphosa of “running his mouth a little bit against the United States and the President.” She emphasized: “The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa… That language is not appreciated by the president or his team.”
The rift stems from President Donald Trump’s earlier announcement of a full boycott, rooted in unsubstantiated claims of “abuses” against white farmers in South Africa, including land expropriation and violence—allegations Pretoria has vehemently rejected. Trump, who briefly considered sending Vice President JD Vance before retracting, views the summit as misaligned with U.S. priorities on trade, security, and climate agendas favoring developing nations. South African officials, including Foreign Ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri, decried the stance as “coercion by absentia,” warning it could undermine consensus on global issues like debt relief and clean energy transitions.
Africa’s inaugural G20 Summit, set for November 22-23 at Johannesburg’s Nasrec Expo Centre, will proceed with delegates from 42 nations, including heads of state from France, Germany, and the UK, alongside UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Absences by leaders from China (Premier Li Qiang attending), Russia (due to ICC warrant), Mexico, and Argentina further highlight fractures, yet Ramaphosa insists on a “people-centred” declaration to advance the African agenda. On X, reactions ranged from sarcasm about Trump’s “virtual disruption” to critiques of the U.S. as performative.
As the event kicks off, the episode exposes deepening U.S.-South Africa strains, potentially reshaping G20 dynamics under Washington’s incoming presidency. Ramaphosa quipped he won’t “hand over to an empty chair,” but the symbolic U.S. nod may suffice for optics—while sidelining real influence.