US Administration Boycotts G20 Summit in South Africa Over Allegations of White Farmer Mistreatment

President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States will not send any government officials to participate in this year's G20 summit in South Africa, citing concerns over the alleged mistreatment of white farmers in the country.

The president had previously declared he would not personally attend the annual gathering of leaders from the world's major economies. Initially, Vice President JD Vance was expected to represent the administration at the summit, but according to a source familiar with Vance's schedule who spoke anonymously, the Vice President has now also canceled his planned attendance.

"It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa," Trump stated on his social media platform.

In his announcement, Trump referenced what he described as "abuses" against Afrikaners, including violence, deaths, and the confiscation of their lands and farms.

The Trump administration has consistently accused South Africa's government of failing to protect white Afrikaner farmers from persecution and attacks.

However, South African officials have expressed surprise at these allegations, noting that white citizens generally enjoy a significantly higher standard of living than Black residents in the country, even three decades after the end of the apartheid regime of white minority rule.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has directly addressed Trump's claims, stating that he has informed the US president that information regarding alleged discrimination against Afrikaners is "completely false."

Despite these assurances, the Trump administration has continued its criticism of the South African government. During a recent economic address in Miami, Trump suggested that South Africa should be expelled from the G20.

Earlier this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also boycotted a G20 meeting for foreign ministers, objecting to the agenda's focus on diversity, inclusion, and climate change initiatives.