Ramaphosa Hits Back After Trump’s G20 Exclusion Claims

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pushed back strongly against U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that Pretoria will be barred from next year’s G20 summit, insisting that South Africa’s position in the global bloc is secure and longstanding.

Their diplomatic tensions follow Washington’s decision to skip the G20 Leaders’ Summit hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg on November 22–23. Trump has repeatedly alleged despite widespread debunking that South Africa’s Black-led government is targeting the white minority.

Trump claimed last week that South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 summit in Florida, accusing Pretoria of failing to properly hand over the G20 presidency at the closing ceremony. South African officials, however, maintain that the handover was executed correctly and that a U.S. embassy representative received the rotating presidency on behalf of the United States.

Addressing the nation on Sunday, Ramaphosa dismissed the U.S. leader’s remarks.

“South Africa is, and will continue to be, a committed, active member of the G20,” he said.

Ramaphosa also rejected Trump’s allegations of “genocide against Afrikaners” and claims of land seizures targeting white citizens, describing the statements as deliberate falsehoods.

He highlighted that, despite the political fallout, American companies and civil society organizations participated fully in G20 activities during South Africa’s presidency in November.

“We value these constructive partnerships and will continue to engage within the G20 framework,” Ramaphosa said, making clear that Pretoria intends to maintain diplomatic cooperation.