US Says South Africa ‘Weaponized’ G20 Leadership After Summit Adopts Declaration

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was ’refusing to facilitate a smooth transition of the G20 presidency.’

(Front row, L–R) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Angolan President and Chairperson of the African Union João Lourenço, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pose for a group photo on the opening day of the Group of 20 leaders' summit, in Johannesburg on Nov. 22, 2025. Gianluigi Guercia/AP

The White House said South Africa weaponized its leadership of the Group of 20 this year after the G20 summit adopted a declaration addressing climate and other global challenges before the summit’s close on Nov. 23, despite U.S. objections.

The declaration, drafted without input from the United States, “can’t be renegotiated,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson told reporters on Nov. 22. This reflected strains between Pretoria and the Trump administration, which boycotted the event.