South Africa's presidency has responded lightheartedly to its exclusion from the G20 under US President Donald Trump's leadership, announcing a 'commercial break' from the forum. The decision follows strained relations between Pretoria and Washington, marked by Trump's false claims about a 'white genocide' in South Africa. Officials emphasize maintaining diplomatic respect without retaliation.
The United States assumed the rotating presidency of the Group of 20 last week, succeeding South Africa's hosting of the summit in Johannesburg under President Cyril Ramaphosa, which the US boycotted. On December 4, 2025, Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya posted on social media that South Africa would 'take a commercial break' from the G20 until the United Kingdom assumes the presidency next year. 'About this time next year, the UK will be taking over the G20 presidency. We will be able to engage meaningfully and substantively over what really matters to the rest of the world,' Magwenya stated. 'For now, we will take a commercial break until we resume normal programming.'
Tensions between the two nations have deteriorated this year amid Trump's repeated false assertions of a 'white genocide' in South Africa and criticism of policies addressing racial inequality. The US also opposed South Africa's G20 theme of 'solidarity, equality and sustainability.' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the exclusion on December 3, saying, 'President Trump and the United States will not be extending an invitation to the South African government to participate in the G20 during our presidency.' This bars South Africa from the leaders' summit in Florida and preparatory meetings, including the Sherpa meeting this month.
As a founding G20 member, South Africa has received solidarity messages from other members but will not lobby for support or encourage boycotts. Ramaphosa, speaking on December 4, affirmed, 'No, no, we don’t need to mobilize anyone. We are not wired that way as South Africa; every country must take its own decisions... So, as South Africa, we leave every country to make up its own mind with regards to all that is happening.' He added, 'I have no sleepless nights. All we want, really, as SA is to be treated as an equal sovereign country... We will always treat any country with due regard, with respect and great consideration.' Pretoria plans to uphold diplomatic decorum despite the snub.