JOHANNESBURG - US President Donald Trump decision not attend the G20 Summit in South Africa this November has drawn criticism with one expert calling it a diplomatic snub.
International relations expert, Oscar Van Heerden says Trump absence is significant given the US is set to host the G20 presidency in 2026.
“The United States is suppose to take over the baton if the G20 presidency next year. For the presidency of that particular country to not come to the summit is a snub,” he says.
Instead of attending, Trump has delegated Vice-President JD Vance to lead the American delegation.
International Relations Minister, Ronald Lamola, has welcomed the move.
The White House has been using the Vice-President to push diplomatic efforts in Europe and Asia.
Heerden says Lamola's reaction did not come as a surprise because there was a time when the country thought that no one from the US would attend the summit