Macron claims that Trump’s boycott of the Johannesburg summit threatens G20 unity

Macron warns that the US boycott threatens G20 unity, while Ramaphosa declines to turn over to the US envoy.

Mr. Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, stated on Saturday that the United States’ boycott of the G20 summit in South Africa puts the group of leading global economies “at risk” as it tries to address global challenges.

This comes as South African President Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa declared that a US embassy representative will not be given the group’s next presidency following President Donald Trump’s refusal to attend the summit.

Macron was one of two dozen world leaders who attended the conference without President Trump, who has been at odds with Pretoria on a number of topics.

“The G20 may be nearing the end of a cycle,” the French leader said to the Johannesburg audience.

“We are battling to resolve significant crises together around this table, including with members who are not present today, in this moment of geopolitics,” Macron stated.

He explicitly mentioned a new unilateral US offer that complies with some of Russia’s strict conditions to stop the fighting in Ukraine.

European leaders discussed counter-proposals during a G20 side meeting in Johannesburg.

Macron reiterated, “Without Ukrainians and without respect for their sovereignty, there can be no peace in Ukraine.”

In addition to the European Union and African Union regional groups, the G20 consists of 19 nations, including Russia.

According to Macron, it was having trouble reaching an agreement on matters like sovereignty and humanitarian law.

“The G20 is at risk if we do not collectively re-engage around a few priorities,” Macron stated, and world leaders needed to recognize this.

In order to re-engage this forum and deliver answers for our economies collectively around this table, Macron stated, “We must absolutely demonstrate that we have concrete actions.”

A US embassy representative will not be given the group’s next presidency, according to South African President Ramaphosa, following President Donald Trump’s refusal to attend the summit.

The Trump administration said it will send the charge d’affaires of its US embassy in South Africa for the transition, with Washington taking over as the group of leading economies’ 2026 president, although it has boycotted the Johannesburg meeting that concludes on Sunday.

Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told reporters that Ramaphosa “will not be handing over to the charge d’affaires from the US.”

He stated, “The United States is a member of the G20, and they can still send anyone at the right level if they want to be represented.”

According to Lamola, this could be a minister, head of state, or “special envoy appointed by the president.”

Otherwise, officers of the same ranking might hand over at government offices, he said.

Trump’s withdrawal from earlier multilateral gatherings and his conflict with Pretoria over a variety of domestic and foreign issues, including allegations that white South Africans are persecuted, are the reasons behind his absence from the Johannesburg summit.

Prior to the summit, the US embassy informed South Africa that its aims “run counter” to US policy values and that, due to its absence and objections, no joint declaration could be made following the conference.

Nearly two dozen international leaders gathered for the meeting, which on Saturday adopted a leaders’ proclamation calling for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Ukraine, and the “Occupied Palestinian Territory” as well as protections for the world’s supply of vital minerals.

“One nation cannot hold us back,” Vincent Magwenya, the president’s spokesperson, told reporters.