JOHANNESBURG / WASHINGTON, Nov 22 — The G20 summit in South Africa adopted its final declaration on Saturday despite explicit U.S. objections and a full boycott by the Trump administration, triggering a diplomatic clash between Pretoria and Washington.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson confirmed that the declaration — drafted without American participation — was final and “cannot be renegotiated,” highlighting growing tensions between the two governments.
“We have spent the entire year preparing for this adoption, and the past week has been extremely intense,” spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
Hours later, the White House accused South Africa of “weaponizing” its G20 presidency and refusing to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. According to White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly, Ramaphosa had threatened to pass the G20 gavel to “an empty chair,” an act Washington viewed as provocative. She said President Donald Trump looks forward to “restoring legitimacy” when the U.S. assumes the rotating presidency next year.
U.S. Boycott Deepens Political Rift
Ramaphosa opened the summit by declaring there was “overwhelming consensus” among member nations for the declaration — but just as it was set for adoption, Argentina abruptly withdrew from negotiations. South African officials noted that Argentine President Javier Milei, a vocal Trump ally, pulled out at the final moment.
Argentina’s foreign minister, Pablo Quirno, said while the country could not endorse the declaration, it remained committed to the G20’s longstanding spirit of cooperation. He cited concerns over language referencing geopolitical conflicts — specifically the long-running Israel–Palestine crisis. The final document includes a single mention, calling for “a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
Climate Change Language Defies Washington
Drafted without U.S. input, the declaration emphasized issues the Trump administration opposes:
- the urgent threat of climate change
- the importance of adapting to global warming
- support for expanding renewable energy
- concerns about the crippling debt burdens faced by poorer nations
A senior U.S. official criticized South Africa for breaking the G20’s tradition of issuing only consensus documents. Trump has repeatedly dismissed the scientific consensus on human-driven climate change, and U.S. officials indicated they would block any reference to it.
Ramaphosa defended South Africa’s leadership, saying the first African G20 presidency should not be undermined. His assertive tone contrasted sharply with his May visit to Washington, where he remained diplomatic even as Trump made the false claim that white farmers in South Africa were victims of “genocide.”
The White House said it boycotted the summit due to unfounded allegations that South Africa’s Black-majority government discriminates against its white minority.
Political Tensions Surround Agenda and Protocol
The summit unfolded amid heightened global tensions — Russia’s war in Ukraine, sensitive climate negotiations heading into COP30 in Brazil, and deepening divisions among global powers.
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola pushed back against U.S. criticism, saying the G20 belongs to all members equally, not to any single nation. “Those who are here have taken the decision on where the world must go,” he said.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned against the “weaponization of dependencies,” a veiled warning to China amid disputes over rare earth export controls critical to global energy, technology, and defense industries.
Meanwhile, China’s Premier Li Qiang urged the G20 to overcome differences and restore unity, stating that lack of cooperation remains a major barrier to global progress.
Another dispute emerged over protocol: South Africa rejected a U.S. proposal to send only a chargé d’affaires for the G20 presidency handover. Magwenya said Ramaphosa would not hand over the presidency to a junior diplomat. Lamola later clarified that South Africa would assign an official of comparable rank to carry out the transition.
