Diplomatic relations between the United States and South Africa reached a new low Friday when President Trump declared the African nation unwelcome at the 2026 G20 Summit in Miami. The announcement centered on allegations regarding violence and discrimination against white farming communities in South Africa.
Trump’s social media statement presented a dire assessment of conditions for descendants of European settlers in South Africa, including Afrikaners and those of Dutch, French, and German heritage. The President used unambiguous language to describe what he views as targeted attacks on white individuals and the seizure of their agricultural properties. These allegations formed the basis for his decision to both boycott the recent Johannesburg summit and exclude South Africa from future G20 participation.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit held last weekend in South Africa attracted numerous world leaders, with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the high-profile attendees. Despite the gathering’s significance, the United States maintained a complete absence, reflecting the Trump administration’s strong objections to South African policies. This boycott marked one of the most significant diplomatic protests in recent G20 history.
Tensions escalated further over disputes about the proper transfer of G20 presidency responsibilities. Trump alleged that South African officials refused to conduct an appropriate handover ceremony with the US Embassy representative present at the event’s conclusion. The South African government disputed this characterization, noting that they followed standard diplomatic procedures by completing the transfer at their international relations headquarters, accommodating the fact that no official American delegation attended the summit proper.
President Cyril Ramaphosa described the exclusion as disappointing while maintaining his government’s interest in positive relations with the United States. The allegations of systematic persecution and genocide against white farmers in South Africa have been repeatedly debunked by government officials, white community leaders within the country, and independent researchers. Despite this consistent refutation, these claims continue to appear in political discussions and statements from various international figures.