Key Takeaways
- Donald Trump’s attempt to ban South Africa from the 2026 G20 summit in Miami, Florida, has been labelled a ‘tantrum’ by a political analyst
- The US President’s decision comes after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa refused to hand over the G20 presidency to a diplomat at the closing ceremony of the leaders’ summit
- Relations between the US and South Africa have been deteriorating since the start of the year, despite a visit to the US by Ramaphosa and delegates in May
- Trump’s latest rhetoric is seen as likely being empty threats, but it reflects the serious hostility towards South Africa that he has held since his first term
- The Democratic Alliance’s international relations spokesperson Ryan Smith has stated that it is not the USA’s prerogative to exclude any of the G20 members
Introduction to the Controversy
The recent social media post by US President Donald Trump, in which he expressed his displeasure at South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s refusal to hand over the G20 presidency to a diplomat at the closing ceremony of the leaders’ summit, has sparked a heated debate. Trump’s statement, which suggested that South Africa would not be welcome at the 2026 G20 summit in Miami, Florida, has been labelled a ‘tantrum’ by Mitchell Plitnick, President of ReThinking Foreign Policy. This reaction is not surprising, given the deteriorating relations between the US and South Africa since the start of the year.
Deteriorating Relations
The relationship between Washington and Pretoria has been on a downward spiral since the beginning of the year, despite a visit to the US by Ramaphosa and delegates in May. Trump’s decision not to attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg, and his failure to send even a low-level delegate, further strained the relationship. The US will host the meeting of world leaders in Florida next year, but Trump has made it clear that Ramaphosa is not welcome. This move has been seen as a reflection of the serious hostility towards South Africa that Trump has held since his first term.
Trump’s Rhetoric
Trump’s latest statement has been met with skepticism by many, with Plitnick suggesting that it is more than likely hot air. "I do not believe he is actually going to withhold visas from the South African delegation," Plitnick said. However, he adds that it does reflect the intensifying hostility towards South Africa that Trump has held since his first term. The fact that Trump is making such statements, despite them being largely empty threats, is a cause for concern. It highlights the unpredictable nature of Trump’s foreign policy approach and the potential consequences for international relations.
Reaction from the Democratic Alliance
The Democratic Alliance’s international relations spokesperson, Ryan Smith, has responded to Trump’s statement, saying that it is not the USA’s prerogative to exclude any of the G20 members. "Regrettably, this is the stance Washington has taken, but it’s very much in line with the Trump administration’s approach to foreign policy," Smith said. This reaction highlights the concerns that many have about Trump’s approach to international relations and the potential consequences for global cooperation.
Lack of Support for Trump’s Stance
Despite Trump’s strong statement, it appears that he is largely playing to an empty theatre. "Even among Trump’s own constituents, it’s really not a big issue for anybody here," Plitnick said. This lack of support for Trump’s stance suggests that his decision to ban South Africa from the 2026 G20 summit may not be as effective as he hopes. It also highlights the divisions within the US and the lack of consensus on Trump’s foreign policy approach.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Trump’s attempt to ban South Africa from the 2026 G20 summit in Miami, Florida, is a reflection of the deteriorating relations between the US and South Africa. Trump’s rhetoric, although likely empty threats, reflects the serious hostility towards South Africa that he has held since his first term. The reaction from the Democratic Alliance and the lack of support for Trump’s stance suggest that his decision may not be as effective as he hopes. As the international community prepares for the 2026 G20 summit, it remains to be seen how this controversy will play out and what the consequences will be for global cooperation.
