US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States will boycott the G20 summit scheduled later this month in Johannesburg, South Africa. He said the decision was made in protest against what he described as “atrocities” targeting white citizens, particularly Afrikaner farmers.
In a statement shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump called it “deeply shameful” that South Africa was chosen to host the global gathering. He alleged that Afrikaners descendants of Dutch, French, and German settlers were being “killed and slaughtered” and that their land was being “illegally seized.”
South Africa’s foreign ministry quickly responded, labeling the White House’s move “regrettable.” Ministry spokesman Crispin Ferry emphasized that the success of the G20 summit “does not depend on the participation of any one member state.” He further rejected Trump’s claims, saying there was no evidence of systematic violence against white citizens.
Speaking on BBC’s News Hour, Ferry accused Trump of exploiting South Africa’s colonial history to “paint a fictional crisis.” He acknowledged that crime remains a serious issue in the country but stressed that “everyone is affected, regardless of race.”
No major political party in South Africa, including those representing Afrikaners and the broader white community, has supported Trump’s assertion of genocide. Analysts note that while land reform and crime are pressing challenges, the claims of targeted persecution have been widely discredited.
The boycott marks a rare absence of the United States from the G20, a forum where the world’s largest economies gather to discuss global financial and political issues. Despite Washington’s withdrawal, South African officials insist the summit will proceed successfully with the participation of other member states.