Will Donald Trump attend the 2025 G20 Summit? South Africa says it's up to the US

US President Donald Trump appears unlikely to attend the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for November in Johannesburg, but South Africa’s International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said it is up to the US to confirm his attendance or absence.

During a media briefing on Monday, South Africa's International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola addressed speculation about Donald Trump's potential participation in the G20, highlighting the country's role as the current president of the summit.

“All leaders of G20 member states are invited to attend,” Lamola said. “But it is up to the US government to confirm whether President Trump will attend the G20 summit in South Africa.”

South Africa assumed the G20 presidency in December 2024, taking over from Brazil.

Lamola emphasised that the US has continued to participate in several G20-related engagements, despite the uncertainty over Trump’s travel plans.

“In various ministerial meetings, the US was represented by its chargé d’affaires,” he said. 

“There has since been significant engagement, including a meeting in Washington where the US Secretary of the Treasury participated in discussions with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.”

However, tensions between Washington and Pretoria have escalated in recent months, stemming in part from US tariffs and criticism of domestic South African legislation, including the controversial Expropriation Act.

Trump had expressed strong opposition to the act and has posted inflammatory comments on his Truth Social platform, on X (formerly Twitter.)

“How could we be expected to go to South Africa for the very important G20 meeting when land confiscation and genocide is the primary topic of conversation?” Trump wrote. 

“They are taking the land of white farmers and then killing them and their families. Is this where we want to be for the G20? I don’t think so.”

The post included a video clip of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema debating land reform in Parliament, a clip the EFF claims was used to spread misleading narratives.

The recent departure of 49 Afrikaners who left South Africa for the United States might also escalate tensions between the two countries.

When asked about Russia’s representation at the summit, Lamola noted that President Vladimir Putin did not attend the previous G20 summit in Brazil.

“Russia was represented by its minister of foreign affairs, and we expect that will continue in that context,” he said.

He confirmed that Russia will participate in the Johannesburg summit.

Lamola also outlined South Africa’s approach to extending invitations to non-G20 countries and organisations.

“All G20 members are invited, but South Africa, as the host, has the discretion to extend invitations to other countries, in consultation with the other member states,” he said.

Among those invited are five of Africa’s largest economies, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Ethiopia, and Angola, which currently chairs the African Union, as well as countries such as Singapore, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates. 

He said several United Nations agencies are also expected to participate.

“If there is any extension of an invitation to other countries, the president will consult with G20 members, and, if there is consensus, the invitation will be issued,” Lamola said.

Cape Times