South Africa’s G20 presidency aimed to highlight global inequality, debt, and climate change, but U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed its agenda. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the goals “very bad” and will skip next week’s G20 meetings in Johannesburg.
South Africa’s G20 presidency was meant to bring attention to pressing concerns of developing nations, including rising inequality, unsustainable debt, and climate change. However, the U.S., the most powerful G20 member, has rejected Pretoria’s agenda.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on February 6 that he would not attend next week’s G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Johannesburg. President Trump further escalated tensions by cutting U.S. financial assistance to South Africa, citing opposition to its land redistribution policy and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
“The U.S. stance seems to be aimed at making sure that South Africa doesn't hold a successful G20,” said Ongama Mtimka, acting director at Nelson Mandela University’s Raymond Mhlaba Center for Governance and Leadership.
The G20, established after the 2008 financial crisis to include major emerging economies, plays a key role in global economic and climate policies. But analysts say the Trump administration’s stance raises questions about its future.
“The bigger question that one has to ask is what is the G20 without the United States?” said David Monyae, director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg. “The implications are much bigger than South Africa... It means the collapse of the G20 process itself.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sought to use the G20 presidency to push for climate action and fairer financial systems for poorer nations. South Africa, like many developing countries, spends more on debt servicing than healthcare.
Despite U.S. opposition, Pretoria insists it has strong backing from other G20 members. Foreign ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said South Africa would continue with its agenda “regardless of U.S. objections.”
Analysts suggest Washington’s stance benefits its rivals, allowing China and Russia to take a stronger leadership role within the G20. Chinese President Xi Jinping led key discussions at the last G20 summit in Brazil and has announced support measures for emerging economies.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will both attend the February 20-21 meetings in Johannesburg. Russia’s foreign ministry said several developing G20 members had approached Moscow with proposals ahead of the summit.
G20 power struggles are further complicated by its overlap with BRICS—a bloc including China, Russia, Brazil, India, and South Africa—formed to challenge U.S.-led global governance.
Trump last month warned BRICS members against replacing the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency, repeating a 100% tariff threat he first made after winning the U.S. presidential election.
The upcoming G20 finance ministers’ meeting on February 26-27 remains uncertain, as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has not confirmed his attendance.
South Africa holds the G20 presidency until December, when the U.S. will take over. A leaders' summit is scheduled for November.
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