G20 Summit in Crisis: US, China, and Argentina Boycott Threatens Ramaphosa's Agenda

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

The G20 Summit in Johannesburg is facing a crisis as the United States, China, and Argentina have announced they will boycott the event, citing various reasons.

US President Donald Trump declared a complete boycott, alleging persecution of white South African farmers, while Chinese President Xi Jinping's absence is unexplained. Argentine President Javier Milei has also skipped the summit in solidarity with Trump.

The absence of these major economies raises questions about the summit's legitimacy and ability to issue a Leaders' Declaration. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed the US boycott as "their loss," insisting the meeting will proceed with "fundamental decisions" from the remaining nations.

The G20 members are pushing forward, but the US absence may block consensus on key issues like climate change, debt sustainability, and energy transitions. The draft declaration covers these topics, but the US boycott threatens to undermine the summit's goals.

The boycott has sparked debate, with some viewing it as a strategic move to reshape global governance, while others see it as isolationist and detrimental to international cooperation. The African Union and European partners may rally support for South Africa, while BRICS nations could capitalize on the situation to promote their own agendas.

As the summit approaches, Ramaphosa's government is working to salvage the event, emphasizing the importance of global solidarity and cooperation. The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the G20 Summit in Johannesburg will be a pivotal moment in global politics.