The 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa concluded on November 23 with a historic first: the gathering of world leaders on African soil. Yet the event was overshadowed by the absence of the United States, after President Donald Trump’s administration boycotted the two‑day talks.
A Historic Summit on African Soil
South Africa hosted the G20 for the first time, marking a milestone for the African continent. President Cyril Ramaphosa closed the summit with the traditional gavel ceremony, though no U.S. representative was present to receive the handover of the presidency. The U.S. boycott came after Trump alleged persecution of South Africa’s Afrikaner white minority, a claim that drew sharp criticism.
Unlike previous summits, leaders issued a declaration on the opening day. Despite opposition from the U.S. and Argentina, the declaration gained support from major economies including China, Russia, France, Germany, the U.K., Japan, and Canada.
The U.S., the world’s largest economy and next G20 president, refused to participate. South Africa rejected a last‑minute attempt by Washington to send a junior embassy official, calling it an insult. Trump announced that the 2026 G20 Summit will be hosted at his golf club in Doral, Florida.
Leaders praised South Africa for championing priorities of poorer nations despite the boycott. French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the milestone but noted the G20’s struggle to find common ground on geopolitical crises. Oxfam hailed the summit as the first in history to put inequality at the center of the global agenda.
The 2025 G20 Summit in South Africa was both symbolic and contentious. While it elevated Africa’s voice in global governance and spotlighted inequality, the U.S. boycott highlighted fractures within the bloc. As the presidency shifts to Washington, questions remain about the G20’s ability to unite on pressing global challenges.
