Trump’s G20 Outburst: South Africa Defiant as U.S. President Calls for Its Expulsion from Global Bloc
South Africa Shrugs Off Trump’s Remark Ahead of Landmark G20 Summit
South Africa has dismissed fresh criticism from United States President Donald Trump, who declared that the country “shouldn’t even be in the G20 anymore,” just weeks before Johannesburg is set to host world leaders for this year’s G20 summit.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told the BBC that South Africa remains confident of hosting “a very successful and inclusive G20 Summit,” reaffirming the nation’s readiness to welcome leaders from the world’s largest economies later this month.
Trump, who has long accused South Africa of discriminating against its white minority, confirmed he would not attend the gathering, instead sending Vice-President JD Vance to represent the U.S.
Trump’s Controversial Comments and Longstanding Grievances
Speaking at a conference in Miami on Wednesday, Trump launched a verbal offensive against Pretoria, claiming, “South Africa shouldn’t even be in the Gs anymore, because what’s happened there is bad. I’m not going to represent our country there. It shouldn’t be there.”
This marks the latest flashpoint in Trump’s uneasy relationship with South Africa, which dates back to his allegations of “white persecution” in the country. Earlier this year, he offered refugee status to white Afrikaners after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law a bill permitting land expropriation without compensation in exceptional cases — a move Trump labelled “discriminatory.”
However, Akahi News gathered that South Africa has consistently rejected these claims, maintaining that the legislation seeks to redress historical inequalities in land ownership and does not target any racial group.
Pretoria’s Measured Response and Global Reactions
The South African government has chosen a diplomatic stance, refraining from a full rebuttal but stressing that its G20 presidency — themed “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability” — reflects its commitment to inclusive global cooperation.
“Drawing on our own journey from racial and ethnic division to democracy, South Africa is uniquely positioned to champion within the G20 a future of genuine solidarity, where shared prosperity bridges deep inequalities,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri told the BBC.
Political analysts believe Trump’s latest outburst is unlikely to alter South Africa’s standing within the G20. Experts, including Dr Andrew Gawthorpe from the UK’s Foreign Policy Centre, noted that the G20 is an informal body without legal mechanisms to expel members, operating solely on consensus.
“Any attempt to exclude a country would require unanimous agreement — something highly improbable given the bloc’s diversity,” Gawthorpe said.
Similarly, Chatham House fellow Chris Vandome told journalists that consensus against South Africa was “unthinkable,” citing strong European and Asian partnerships, particularly China’s firm backing of Africa’s largest economy.
U.S.–South Africa Tensions and Economic Implications
According to Akahi News, relations between Washington and Pretoria have soured in recent months. Despite President Ramaphosa’s goodwill visit to the White House in May — accompanied by members of his coalition government, including white South Africans — the meeting was overshadowed by Trump’s insistence on “unsubstantiated” reports of violence against white farmers.
The diplomatic friction intensified when Washington imposed a steep 30% tariff on South African exports to the U.S. in August, the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. Observers note that this development underscores a broader geopolitical rift between the two nations.
What Lies Ahead for South Africa and the G20
As Johannesburg prepares to host the world’s most powerful economies, South Africa appears determined to project confidence, unity, and leadership despite external criticism.
The G20, founded in 1999, represents more than 85% of global GDP and has historically focused on financial stability and international cooperation. While past controversies — such as Russia’s partial isolation following its invasion of Ukraine — have tested the group’s cohesion, no country has ever been expelled.
With the United States set to assume the G20 presidency next year, global observers believe the coming summit will serve as a litmus test for South Africa’s diplomatic agility — and its capacity to navigate mounting international scrutiny.
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By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org
