President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday forcefully rejected South Africa’s announcement that the United States had reversed course and would participate in this weekend’s G20 summit in Johannesburg, insisting that no US officials will take part in official talks.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier said Washington had a “change of mind” after months of tensions over Trump’s criticism of South Africa’s land policies and claims about attacks on white farmers. But the White House pushed back immediately.

White House: US not joining G20 discussions

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US ambassador would attend only the ceremonial handover for next year’s G20 summit, which the United States will host at a Trump-owned golf club in Florida.
“The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa,” Leavitt said, adding that Ramaphosa had been “running his mouth a little bit” and that his remarks were “not appreciated by the president or his team.”

South Africa insists US shift was ‘positive’

Ramaphosa had framed what he believed was a late US reversal as “a positive sign,” saying the world’s largest economy “needs to be here.” His comments contrasted sharply with a weekend notice from the US embassy in Pretoria stating Washington would not attend, arguing that South Africa’s G20 priorities “run counter to US policy views.”
The agenda for this year’s summit includes debt sustainability for low-income nations, financing a “just energy transition,” and cooperation on critical minerals.

Part of broader pattern of Trump-era withdrawals

The no-show marks the latest in a series of Trump administration boycotts of major international gatherings. The US is also absent from the COP30 climate talks in Brazil, with Trump rejecting climate science and defending fossil fuels.
Trump has repeatedly targeted South Africa since returning to office, amplifying far-right narratives and claiming—despite debunking—that white South African farmers face “slaughter.” His administration expelled South Africa’s ambassador and imposed a 30% tariff on South African goods, the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.

US business presence remains strong

Despite the political snub, US business engagement remains robust. More than 600 US companies operate in South Africa, and American corporate leaders attended this week’s Business 20 (B20) event.
US Chamber of Commerce chief Suzanne Clark praised South Africa’s G20 presidency for fostering “real collaboration” and said the chamber would continue driving international cooperation through its B20 leadership.