Former United States President Donald Trump has announced that South Africa will not be invited to participate in the 2026 G20 summit, intensifying diplomatic tensions between Washington and Pretoria and sparking international debate over the future of the global economic bloc.
Trump made the declaration on Wednesday, saying South Africa’s exclusion was due to what he described as “serious human rights abuses” and growing diplomatic disagreements linked to South Africa’s current G20 presidency. The 2026 G20 summit is scheduled to be hosted by the United States.
According to Trump, allegations of violent crimes against farmers, land-related disputes, and what he termed persistent rights violations informed the decision. He also suggested that the U.S. would suspend certain forms of financial support and cooperation with South Africa as part of a broader policy response.
If implemented, the move would be unprecedented, as the G20 traditionally operates as an inclusive forum comprising 19 of the world’s largest economies plus the European Union. Member states are not usually excluded, regardless of political or diplomatic disagreements.
South Africa, however, has strongly rejected the accusations. Government officials in Pretoria have dismissed claims of targeted persecution and systemic human rights violations as exaggerated and unsupported by factual evidence. Authorities argue that while South Africa faces serious crime challenges, they cut across racial and social lines and do not amount to state-sponsored abuses.
The announcement follows already strained relations between both countries. Earlier in the month, the U.S. declined to send senior officials to the 2025 G20 summit held in Johannesburg, citing similar concerns. The U.S. also distanced itself from parts of the summit’s final declaration, which focused on climate action, debt relief for developing countries, and reforms of global financial institutions.
Analysts say Trump’s position reflects a tougher stance on multilateral institutions and signals a willingness to use U.S. hosting powers to pressure governments it accuses of misconduct. Critics, however, warn that excluding a G20 member could undermine the credibility of the bloc and deepen divisions between developed nations and the global South.
Despite the U.S. position, South Africa continues to enjoy the backing of several emerging economies and African states, which view the move as politically motivated rather than rooted in genuine human rights advocacy.
As preparations for the 2026 summit begin, it remains unclear whether other G20 members will accept South Africa’s exclusion or push back against what could become a defining controversy for the group’s future.