The White House has instructed U.S. government agencies to suspend cooperation with the upcoming G20 summit scheduled to be hosted by South Africa.
- The U.S. government has suspended cooperation with the G20 summit to be hosted by South Africa.
- President Trump’s administration cites concerns over South Africa’s land expropriation law as the reason for non-participation.
- South Africa denies accusations of racial discrimination, condemning the political motivations behind the U.S. stance.
The White House has reiterated President Trump’s administration’s resolve not to participate in the forthcoming G20 event, which will be held in South Africa later this year.
The Washington Post confirmed the decision, reporting that the National Security Council has instructed U.S. agencies and departments to halt preparations for the Group of 20 summit scheduled to be hosted by South Africa later this year.
The move follows President Donald Trump’s public threats to boycott the summit over claims that white South Africans are having their land taken away by the government under a new expropriation law.
The G20 is an international forum of the world’s biggest economies and is set to be held in November under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”
Trump’s ongoing conflict with South Africa
The suspension of U.S. involvement in the G20 summit marks the latest escalation in President Donald Trump’s long-standing tensions with South Africa.
His administration has repeatedly criticized the South African government over its land expropriation policy, which aims to redistribute land without compensation—a move Trump has described as discriminatory against the country’s white minority, particularly Afrikaner farmers.
Trump has taken a vocal stance on the issue, even instructing the U.S. State Department to investigate alleged “large-scale killings” of white farmers, claims that South African officials and human rights groups have widely disputed.
The relationship between Washington and Pretoria has remained strained, with U.S. officials citing concerns over property rights, rule of law, and racial targeting.
In a significant move, the Trump administration has begun granting refugee status to white South African farmers, known as Afrikaners, citing alleged racial persecution under South Africa’s land reform policy.
On May 12, 2025, the first group of 59 Afrikaners arrived in the U.S. under the new program, with President Trump stating they are victims of “racial discrimination” and fast-tracking their applications.
The policy has sparked controversy, with critics pointing out the sharp contrast to how the administration treats other refugee groups. The South African government has strongly condemned the move, calling it politically motivated and denying claims of persecution.
Despite the backlash, interest in the resettlement program is rising, with reports indicating that more than 10,000 white South Africans have expressed a desire to relocate to the U.S.
