Ramaphosa claims the US is considering attending the G20 in South Africa, but the White House disputes
The president of South Africa said on Thursday that the United States had hinted that it would reconsider and attend the G20 conference in Johannesburg following the Trump administration’s boycott, but the White House rejected the information as “fake news.”
Speaking at a joint news conference with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was Cyril Ramaphosa.
“We have received notice from the United States, a notice which we are still in discussions with them over, about a change of mind, about participating in one shape or form or other in the summit,” he stated.
“This occurs in the days leading up to the peak. Therefore, in order to determine its practicality and ultimate meaning, we must have such kinds of conversations.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that it would not participate in the first G20 conference in Africa, citing discrimination against white people in the host nation, which was under white minority apartheid until 1994.
A White House official stated on Thursday that an envoy will be present at the formal transfer of the G20 leadership from South Africa to the United States, but Washington would not be attending.
“This is not real news. As a formality, the chargé d’affaires in Pretoria will be present at the transfer ceremony, but the US will not be participating in the G20 talks,” they continued.
However, Vincent Magwenya, the spokesperson for the South African president, stated that “the president will not hand over to a chargé d’affaires.”
Trump has rejected South Africa’s agenda for the November 22–23 summit, which calls for strengthening ties, assisting developing countries in preparing for more severe weather disasters, switching to sustainable energy, and reducing the burden of their heavy debt.
In reference to the United States taking over the G20 leadership last week, Ramaphosa stated: “I don’t want to hand over to an empty chair, but the empty chair will be there.”
