South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump criticizing South Africa’s participation in the 2026 G20 meetings, calling the remarks “regrettable,” according to a statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday.
The Presidency said the G20 South Africa 2025 Leaders Summit, held in Johannesburg, was widely praised by attending member states as one of the most successful gatherings of the forum. The summit concluded with a declaration underscoring the importance of multilateralism in addressing global challenges.
Because the United States did not attend the summit, South Africa said it formally handed over G20 Presidency instruments to a U.S. Embassy official at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Pretoria.
As a founding G20 member, South Africa “has always valued the spirit of consensus, collaboration and partnership” that defines the group, the statement said. It added that the U.S. was expected to take part in all G20 engagements during South Africa’s presidency but “elected not to attend the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg out of its own volition.”
The Presidency stressed that South Africa holds G20 membership “in its own name and right” and was nominated by fellow members. It also said the country “does not appreciate insults from another country about its worth in participating in global platforms,” noting that South Africa would never disparage the standing of another nation.
While the U.S. government did not attend the summit, American businesses and civil society groups participated in related events, including the B20 and the G20 Social, the Presidency said. South Africa “values their participation,” it added.
Ramaphosa’s office affirmed that South Africa will continue to engage as “a full, active and constructive member of the G20” and urged all members to recommit to multilateralism, consensus and equal participation within the forum’s structures.
The Presidency also said it was unfortunate that, despite efforts by Ramaphosa’s administration to improve ties with Washington, Trump “continues to apply punitive measures against South Africa based on misinformation and distortions.”