South Africa’s aspirations for the G20 collide with the realities of the Trump administration

The goal of South Africa’s G20 presidency was to persuade wealthy, influential countries to take notice of issues facing developing nations, such as rising inequality, debilitating sovereign debt, and the lack of progress in combating climate change.

However, the United States, the wealthiest and most influential member, is not participating. On February 6, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that South Africa’s G20 objectives were “very bad” and that he would not be going to the discussions with his G20 colleagues in Johannesburg the following week.

Citing displeasure of South Africa’s land redistribution program and its genocide complaint against Israel at the International Court of Justice, President Donald Trump withdrew U.S. financial support to the nation as part of a larger attack on the country.

According to Ongama Mtimka, acting director of the Raymond Mhlaba Center for Governance and Leadership at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, the United States’ position “seems to be aimed at making sure that South Africa doesn’t hold a successful G20.”

The G20 was established in the wake of the 2007–2008 financial crisis to bring large developing economies into discussions that were previously exclusive to the Group of Seven Industrialized States. It is expected to be a crucial platform for financial and economic cooperation.

Given that G20 countries are responsible for almost three-quarters of global warming emissions and 85% of the global economy, it is also seen to be crucial in determining how the world responds to climate change.

However, experts questioned the forum’s applicability in light of the Trump administration’s animosity.

“The bigger question that one has to ask is what is G20 without the United States?” David Monyae, head of the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Africa-China Studies, stated.

“South Africa is not the only country affected… It signifies the G20 process’s own demise,” he stated. “I do not think we are there yet, but … we seem to be crawling towards that.”

CHINA PROVIDES ASSISTANCE

President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that he hopes to address climate change and more equitable financing for developing countries during his nation’s G20 leadership. Like many other nations, South Africa spends more money on debt repayment than on healthcare.

Chrispin Phiri, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, stated that despite U.S. protests, Pretoria will “continue with our theme and priorities” and had “strong support from other G20 countries” for its agenda.

Washington’s stance, according to Mtimka, is likely to help its enemies by giving China and Russia “on a silver platter” control of the G20.

During the most recent G20 conference in Brazil, Chinese President Xi Jinping was instrumental in introducing a number of policies aimed at bolstering developing economies.

Russia’s Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will also be present at the February 20–21 discussions in Johannesburg.

“China attaches great importance to G20 cooperation and is willing to work with all parties to support the work of the South African presidency,” stated the foreign ministry of Beijing.

A foreign ministry source told Russia’s Interfax news agency on Monday that a number of developing-nation G20 members had already sent suggestions to Russia and were eager to see Lavrov in Johannesburg.

Membership overlap with the BRICS bloc, which was established to oppose a global system controlled by the United States and its Western allies, complicates the power dynamics of the G20. Members include South Africa, Brazil, India, China, and Russia.

Last month, Trump reiterated his warning of 100% tariffs, which he had stated weeks after winning the U.S. presidential election, and cautioned BRICS members against abandoning the U.S. dollar as its reserve currency.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has not said if he would attend the finance ministers’ meeting scheduled for February 26–27, which follows the G20 foreign ministers’ conference.

The G20 presidency is held by South Africa until December, when it is turned over to the US. In November, a conference of leaders is planned.