Ramaphosa responds to Trump’s warning about excluding South Africa from the 2026 G20 summit.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to exclude South Africa from the 2026 G20 summit, asserting the country’s importance as a founding member of the group. In his state of the nation address, Ramaphosa called Trump’s claims “blatant misinformation” and reiterated South Africa’s commitment to the G20.

Tensions rose after the 2025 G20 summit in Johannesburg, which the U.S. boycotted. Trump criticized South Africa for allegedly mishandling the transfer of the G20 presidency to a U.S. representative during the closing ceremony, and accused the South African government of persecuting its white minority, alleging a genocide against Afrikaners—claims that have been widely discredited.

Ramaphosa countered that South Africa had properly handed over the G20 presidency to a U.S. embassy official, following all diplomatic protocols, despite the absence of a U.S. delegation. He denounced the accusations of genocide and land confiscation as falsehoods intended to undermine South Africa’s international standing.

Despite the diplomatic strain, Ramaphosa noted the positive involvement of U.S. businesses and civil society groups during the Johannesburg summit and expressed a desire to foster constructive relations with the United States. He emphasized the importance of dialogue grounded in mutual respect and accurate information, warning against the dangers of disinformation that could negatively impact South Africa’s economy and diplomatic ties.

Concluding his address, Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to active participation in the G20, irrespective of the U.S. position, and called for unity among G20 members to effectively tackle global challenges.