- Trump administration will not invite South Africa
- South Africa excluded from 2026 G20 events
- Decision linked to previous boycott stance
It would be the first time in South Africa's more than 20-year history that a nation has been completely barred from the gatherings of the world's most significant economies.
Due to baseless claims that the South African government is conducting genocide against White South Africans, the United States has already boycotted the 2025 gathering.
According to the source, the government intends to invite Poland to attend the 2026 meetings at a higher level.
“It’s right next to the airport. It’s the best location. It’s beautiful,”
Trump said in September.
Last month, Poland's finance minister stated on Polish radio station RMF FM that "our aspirations to join the G20 are entirely justified given that we have had thirty-five years of uninterrupted economic growth and are the twentieth-largest economy in the world, ahead of, among others, Switzerland."
Meanwhile, under the Trump administration, ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated. The South African ambassador to the US was expelled by the State Department in March after it declared him to be "persona non grata." In February, Trump accused South Africa of discriminating against White farmers and halted aid to the country.
Earlier last month, South Africa concluded its tenure as the group's chairman without the US being present to accept the gavel.
How will excluding South Africa affect US diplomatic ties in Africa?
The rejection worsens formerly tense U.S.- South Africa relations that have deteriorated over South Africa’s independent foreign policy stations, including impartiality on Russia- Ukraine and controversial land appropriation laws. This heightening rupture pitfalls endless damage to bilateral trust.
The move comes amid heightened pressures between the U.S. and South Africa, including political row escalations similar as the expatriation of the South African minister and the halting of U.S. aid following South Africa’s new land appropriation law aimed at addressing major inequalities.
The U.S. pitfalls losing standing and leadership in Africa at a critical time when it seeks to annul China and Russia’s growing presence. Rejection sends a clear signal to African nations about U.S. precedents and red lines but complicates collaboration on participating global challenges like climate change and development.