G20 Advances Amid U.S. Boycott
Heads of state met in Johannesburg on November 22 and 23, 2025. This was the first G20 summit held in Africa. It was also the first time the United States refused to attend a meeting of the group.
The event stood out for another reason. Members agreed to a joint declaration at the start, not the end. There was no formal handover of the chair to the incoming host. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa closed the meeting by striking a wooden gavel. He noted that the next meeting will take place in the United States in 2026.
President Trump did not attend. He claimed the South African government seized white-owned land and permitted attacks on white Afrikaners. U.S. officials also rejected the summit’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Washington asked that Ramaphosa pass the gavel to a junior embassy official. South Africa refused and said that the move broke standard diplomatic practice. The handover will instead take place the next day between officials of equal rank.
The United States attempted to block a joint declaration. It asked South Africa to issue a short “chair’s statement” instead. Ramaphosa pushed ahead. He said before the summit that the host nation would not give in. A joint statement was issued without U.S. approval.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly criticized the decision. She said Ramaphosa did not support a smooth leadership transition. She added that Trump plans to “restore legitimacy” to the group. He has stated that he wants to host the next summit in Florida.
The declaration stressed climate challenges, debt faced by poorer countries, and goals to advance gender equality. Argentina objected to some of the language. Its president, Javier Milei, stayed away in support of Trump. Argentina still sent representatives. The declaration moved ahead.
World leaders thanked South Africa for its leadership. French President Emmanuel Macron embraced Ramaphosa warmly. Ramaphosa said the summit highlighted issues that matter to developing nations. Macron stated that differences among countries remain strong.
Events elsewhere drew attention during private talks. European leaders objected to the new U.S. plan for Ukraine. They said limits on Ukraine’s military would leave the country open to future attack. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva raised concerns about U.S. military activity near Venezuela.
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