The United States has formally warned South Africa against issuing a joint statement at this weekend’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg, amid escalating tensions between the two countries. A G-20 joint statement is typically a public declaration agreed upon by all participating nations at the end of the summit, led by the host country—in this case, South Africa. Such statements outline collective positions on global economic, social, and political issues and serve as a key product of G-20 meetings.
The warning, delivered in a diplomatic communication on November 15, stated that Washington will not participate in preparatory meetings or the summit itself and will block any outcome framed as a consensus G-20 position without US approval. “The US opposes issuance of any G-20 summit outcome document under the premise of a consensus G-20 position, without US agreement,” the document noted. “If a deliverable is issued under your presidency, it will be framed solely as a chair’s statement to accurately reflect the absence of consensus.”
Relations between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and U.S. President Donald Trump have been strained since an Oval Office meeting in May, when Ramaphosa faced public criticism. Trump later announced he would skip the summit and escalated tensions with false claims that Pretoria is conducting a genocide against white Afrikaners and expropriating land. The US has also imposed 30% tariffs on South African exports, the highest on the continent.
Despite the opposition, South Africa is pressing ahead with efforts to secure a joint declaration. Ramaphosa’s administration has built on agendas advanced by previous G-20 presidents from the Global South, including Indonesia, India, and Brazil. Brazilian Ambassador Philip Gough emphasized that Brazil “must have a declaration” and is coordinating with other countries to achieve one. European and German officials have also expressed support for South Africa’s presidency.
South Africa’s foreign minister, Ronald Lamola, emphasized that the US absence should not halt progress at the summit, noting that “the world can move on with or without the U.S.” He acknowledged the challenges of implementing a declaration but stressed that multilateral platforms remain essential for fostering global cooperation and encouraging all nations, including the United States, to work together.
About 15 heads of state, including leaders from Brazil, India, Turkey, and Japan, are expected in Johannesburg. China will send Premier Li Qiang in place of President Xi Jinping, while sherpas continue discussions on key issues such as gender and climate.
