Overview
- The United States formally took over the 2026 G20 presidency and released priorities focused on cutting regulatory burdens, securing affordable and reliable energy supply chains, and advancing new technologies.
- President Trump said South Africa will not receive an invitation to the Miami leaders’ summit and announced an immediate halt to U.S. payments and subsidies to Pretoria.
- South Africa called the allegations behind the move misinformation, affirmed it remains a full G20 member, and said it handed over the presidency to a designated U.S. embassy official in line with protocol.
- Washington boycotted the Johannesburg leaders’ meeting, and a summit declaration addressing climate and other global challenges was adopted without U.S. endorsement.
- Local reports noted the G20 website was switched to Miami 2026 branding after the U.S. took the helm, while figures such as Germany’s Friedrich Merz signaled efforts to persuade Washington to reverse South Africa’s exclusion.