United States (US) president Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on South Africa, saying the country “shouldn’t even be in the Gs anymore” and declaring he will not attend the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit to be hosted in Johannesburg later this month.
Speaking at a business forum in Miami, Trump accused South Africa of “going in the wrong direction” and suggested the country’s domestic and foreign policies had undermined its standing among major economies.
“For generations, Miami has been a haven for those fleeing communist tyranny in South Africa. I mean, if you take a look at what’s going on in parts of South Africa. Look at South Africa, what’s going on. Look at South America, what’s going on. You know, I’m not going, we have a G20 meeting in South Africa,” he said.
“South Africa shouldn’t even be in the Gs any more, because what’s happened there is bad. I’m not going. I told them, I’m not going. I’m not gonna represent our country there. It shouldn’t be there”.
Analysts say Trump’s comments could cast a shadow over the Johannesburg summit and complicate South Africa’s efforts to project itself as a bridge between developed and developing nations.
Despite Trump’s announcement that he will not attend, the White House has previously confirmed that a US delegation – likely led by vice president JD Vance — will represent Washington at the summit.
South Africa joined the G20 in 1999 and remains the only African member of the forum, which brings together the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies to discuss international financial and development issues.
Government officials in South Africa have consistently stated that preparations for the summit are continuing as planned. – IOL News
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