Overview
- President Donald Trump has confirmed that no U.S. government officials will attend the Nov. 22–23 G20 in Johannesburg, citing debunked claims about abuses against white Afrikaners that South Africa rejects.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa said the handover of the 2026 G20 presidency will be made symbolically to an empty chair and signaled he intends to engage Washington to stabilize key trade ties.
- China announced President Xi Jinping will not travel and that Premier Li Qiang will represent Beijing, while Argentina’s Javier Milei will skip the meeting and send Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno.
- G20 diplomats and analysts say the no‑show by the United States raises uncertainty over adopting a traditional consensus Leaders’ Declaration, which could force a narrower chair’s statement.
- South Africa, the African Union and the United Nations affirmed the summit will proceed, with Pretoria stressing extensive preparations, comprehensive security plans and a Global South‑focused agenda on debt, climate finance and critical minerals.