US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on 26/11 that, "Under my direction, South Africa will not receive an invitation to attend the G20 summit, an event hosted in Miami, Florida next year. South Africa has shown the world it does not deserve to be a member of any organization."
Mr. Trump cited two main reasons for his decision: South Africa's alleged "human rights violations against white farmers" and its refusal to symbolically transfer the G20 presidency to the US at the conclusion of last week's G20 summit in Johannesburg.
In response to Mr. Trump's disinvitation, South Africa stated it is a G20 member and that its status within the group is determined by other members.
The South African President's Office stated, "South Africa is a sovereign constitutional democracy and does not accept insults from any nation regarding its membership or its value in participating in global forums," pledging to continue attending all G20 meetings.
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US President Donald Trump at the White House on 25/11. Photo: AFP |
The United States and South Africa are currently at odds over a range of domestic and foreign policies. Tensions between the two nations escalated after the US opted not to attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
On 25/11, South Africa held a ceremony to transfer the G20 presidency at a small Foreign Ministry-level event. This followed its refusal to carry out the transfer process to a US embassy official at the summit, citing that Washington needed to send a representative to attend "at an appropriate level."
The South African President's Office added, "Regrettably, despite the efforts of President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration to improve diplomatic relations with the US, President Trump continues to impose punitive measures against South Africa based on misinformation and distortions about our country."
Tensions between the US and South Africa also stem from a law signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January, which allows for land expropriation without compensation in certain cases for public interest. Land ownership has been a long-standing contentious issue in South Africa, as the majority of agricultural land remains in the hands of white individuals 30 years after the end of the apartheid regime.
When Mr. Ramaphosa visited the White House in May, Mr. Trump showed a video accusing the South African government of conducting a campaign against white farmers. The South African government denied all allegations.
The two nations also disagree on South Africa's case against Israel, a US ally, at the International Court of Justice, alleging genocide in the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, Mr. Trump has imposed 30% tariffs on South Africa, the highest rate in the sub-Saharan region.
By Huyen Le (According to AFP, NBC News)
