The White House has accused South Africa of exploiting its G20 presidency to undermine the foundational principles of the group. The accusation follows the G20’s issuance of a declaration addressing climate change, despite strong objections from the United States.
According to a statement released Saturday, the White House alleges that South Africa refused to facilitate a smooth transition of the G20 presidency to the United States. The core of the dispute lies in the climate change declaration, which Washington opposed.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pushed for the declaration, encompassing climate crisis and other global challenges, “despite persistent and forceful American objections.”
The statement further added that U.S. President Donald Trump is looking forward to “restoring legitimacy to the G20” when the United States hosts the G20 summit in 2026.
The G20 leaders, during the summit hosted by South Africa, adopted a final declaration addressing the climate crisis, economic challenges, and geopolitical tensions. The United States boycotted the drafting of the document, a move a White House official described as “shameful.”
President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson asserted that the declaration is “non-negotiable,” emphasizing that South Africa worked throughout the year on its formulation. The spokesperson also noted a “overwhelming consensus” among member states for adopting the document, which marks the first declaration issued under an African presidency of the G20.
Sources indicate that the draft was finalized without Washington’s participation after the U.S. objected to clauses related to climate change, expanding the use of renewable energy, and easing the debt burden on poorer nations.
The inclusion of climate change in the declaration is seen as a direct disregard for President Trump’s position, who has expressed skepticism about the scientific consensus on human-caused global warming.
Argentina also withdrew from the negotiations.
