G20 Opens in Johannesburg Without U.S. Participation, Consensus Text in Doubt

Overview

• President Donald Trump is boycotting the meeting over contested claims about South Africa’s treatment of white Afrikaners, an allegation Pretoria rejects.
• With Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin skipping and China represented by Premier Li Qiang, most other leaders have gathered as South Africa seeks to steer a Global South agenda.
• Negotiators have finalized a draft joint text for leaders, though it remains uncertain whether a formal declaration will be adopted after U.S. warnings against issuing one in the G20’s name.
• On the sidelines, the European Union announced a new critical minerals agreement with South Africa, underscoring efforts to deepen economic ties.
• India’s Narendra Modi is attending all sessions and holding bilaterals including with Australia’s Anthony Albanese, while the U.S. plans only an embassy representative for the presidency handover.