CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa says the United States’ decision to skip the G20 Summit in Johannesburg is unfortunate but stresses that boycotts rarely achieve their intended effect.
He frames the US absence as more of a loss for those who stay away than for South Africa.
The United States will be a no-show for the Group of 20 Summit this month.
US President Donald Trump says no officials will attend the meeting.
Trump slammed the G20 being held in South Africa, calling it a 'total disgrace'.
He had previously announced that Vice President JD Vance would attend the summit, but has now reversed that decision.
Ramaphosa says what he has learnt in politics is that boycotts never work and that they have a contradictory effect.
He further stated that the G20 Summit will go on without the United States and that other heads of state will be present in South Africa.
"Their absence is their loss, and in many ways, the United States is also giving up the very important role that they should be playing as the biggest economy in the world,” Ramaphosa said.
“And I tell President Trump that the United States has an important role to play and that he must come to the G20, they have chosen to boycott and boycotting never achieves anything of great impact because decisions will be taken that will move the various issues ahead.”
DStv Channel 403
Monday, 15 December 2025
