TRUMP IGNORES SA

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump stated that he is unlikely to attend the G20 Summit in South Africa, citing “very poor policies” as the reason.

Speaking onboard Air Force One on Tuesday, Trump mentioned that he would delegate attendance to someone else due to the “issues” he has with South Africa.

“I think I might send someone else because I’ve encountered numerous problems with South Africa. They have some very poor policies,” he remarked.

“They have some very poor policies… Many people are losing their lives. I’d prefer to attend, but I don’t think I will.”

This statement illustrates Trump’s continued criticism of South Africa, particularly his repeated mentions of unverified claims that Pretoria has targeted white farmers—a narrative that the South African government has firmly and categorically denied.

Further indicating strained diplomatic relations, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent did not participate in the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Durban in July, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio similarly declined to attend a G20 foreign ministers’ summit in Johannesburg earlier this year.

During the initial months of his second term, Trump intensified claims of systemic discrimination against white citizens, a narrative endorsed by Elon Musk, a South African-born entrepreneur and Trump’s former ally.

The White House has also voiced formal concerns regarding South Africa’s policies, particularly the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) framework and the controversial land expropriation legislation enacted in January 2023.

While South African officials have asserted that the law will not be applied to unjustly take white-owned land, it has raised significant alarm in international policy and investment circles.