U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated he may not attend the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa, citing continued dissatisfaction with the country’s domestic and international policies.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, “I think maybe I’ll send somebody else because I’ve had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies.”
The summit, scheduled for November 2025, will be the first G20 gathering hosted by South Africa, under its year-long presidency. The event is expected to focus on pressing global issues including economic recovery, climate finance, and infrastructure investment across the Global South.
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Trump’s remarks add diplomatic tension ahead of what is seen as a landmark opportunity for South Africa to shape multilateral discussions and spotlight African priorities. Although no final decision has been announced by the White House, the possibility of Trump skipping the event could affect U.S. engagement in critical global negotiations.
The President did not specify which policies prompted his concerns, but observers point to South Africa’s foreign policy alignment with BRICS nations, its neutral stance on global conflicts, and domestic economic reforms as possible friction points with the Trump administration.
If Trump opts not to attend, attention will turn to who will represent the United States at the high-level forum, and how that may affect Washington’s influence within the G20 framework.
