The United States has moved to enforce its threat, snubbing South Africa at the upcoming G20 summit and instead extending an invitation to a major European ally, Poland.
- The US excluded South Africa from the next G20 summit, inviting Poland instead.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Poland’s economic rise and alignment with US values as reasons for the decision.
- Poland recently surpassed $1 trillion in GDP, showcasing its post-Communist transformation.
- Contrast was drawn with South Africa’s stagnant economy and strained diplomatic relations with the US.
The Trump administration has finally invited Poland to next year’s G20 summit in Miami, signalling a dramatic shift in the forum’s guest roster while excluding South Africa, a full member, amid rising tensions with Washington.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the decision in a statement titled “America Welcomes a New G20.”
“Poland, a nation that was once trapped behind the Iron Curtain but now ranks among the world’s 20 largest economies, will be joining us to assume its rightful place in the G20,” Rubio wrote.
The announcement reflects the US’s broader intent to reward economic transformation while signalling dissatisfaction with countries it sees as underperforming.
Poland’s Economic Rise
The invitation comes as Poland’s economy recently surpassed $1 trillion, overtaking Switzerland and approaching Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands. Rubio highlighted Poland’s post-Communist transformation as a model for emerging nations.
“Poland’s success is proof that a focus on the future is a better path than one on grievances. It shows how partnership with the United States and American companies can promote mutual prosperity and growth,” he added.
The US Secretary of State contrasted Poland’s trajectory with South Africa, criticizing what he called its “burdensome regulatory and redistributionist policies.” He said Pretoria had undermined US input during its yearlong G20 leadership, “tarnishing the forum’s credibility.”
Sharp contrast with South Africa
The United States also sharply criticized South Africa’s economic and political record. Rubio said: “The contrast with South Africa is stark. The South African economy has stagnated under its burdensome regulatory regime driven by racial grievance and corruption.”
He added that South Africa had “routinely ignored US objections to consensus communiques and statements, and blocked input into negotiations from the US and other countries and tarnished the G-20’s reputation.”
As a result, South Africa will not be invited to Miami, following Washington’s boycott of the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
Tensions have been further inflamed by Trump’s repeated, unverified claims of genocide against White Afrikaners, which South African President Cyril Ramaphosa raised during a May visit to the White House.
Trump’s Miami summit plans
The Miami summit will be tightly controlled and hosted at Trump’s private Trump National Doral Golf Club, with limited participation for observers. Poland will attend through President Karol Nawrocki, a right-wing nationalist endorsed by Trump, though the scope of his participation remains unspecified.
Rubio outlined a conditional path for South Africa: “When South Africa decides it has made the tough decisions needed to fix its broken system and is ready to rejoin the family of prosperous and free nations, the United States will have a seat for it at our table. Until then, America will be forging ahead with a new G-20.”
South Africa’s response
Despite US criticism, South Africa remains resolute. Speaking after completing its yearlong G20 leadership, Ramaphosa said: “South Africa is one of the founding members of the G-20 and South Africa is therefore a member of the G-20 in its own name and right. We will continue to participate as a full, active, and constructive member of the forum.”
