Title: “Challenges Emerge Unexpectedly for South Africa’s G20 Presidency”
By Kopano Gumbi and Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo
South Africa’s G20 presidency was anticipated to provide an opportunity for wealthier nations to address the concerns of less affluent countries, including issues such as growing inequality, overwhelming sovereign debt, and insufficient progress in combating climate change. However, the United States, the wealthiest and most powerful member, has not shown support. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized South Africa’s G20 objectives as “very bad” and announced his decision not to participate in the upcoming meetings with G20 counterparts in Johannesburg.
In a broader critique of South Africa, President Donald Trump withdrew U.S. financial aid to the country, citing objections to its land redistribution policy and its legal action against Israel in the International Court of Justice. Ongama Mtimka, acting director at the Raymond Mhlaba Center for Governance and Leadership at Nelson Mandela University, suggested that the U.S. stance is aimed at undermining South Africa’s successful hosting of the G20.
The G20, established after the 2007-08 financial crisis to include major emerging economies in discussions that were previously limited to the Group of Seven industrialized nations, is considered a critical platform for economic and financial collaboration. It is also crucial in shaping responses to climate change, given that G20 nations represent 85% of the global economy and over three-quarters of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the antagonistic approach of the Trump administration raises doubts about the forum’s relevance, according to analysts.
David Monyae, director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg, highlighted the significance of the United States in the G20 and warned of potential repercussions if it disengages. President Cyril Ramaphosa aimed to prioritize climate change and equitable finance for developing nations during South Africa’s G20 presidency. Despite U.S. objections, Pretoria expressed determination to continue pursuing its agenda with the backing of other G20 members.
Mtimka suggested that the U.S.’s stance might inadvertently bolster its rivals, particularly China and Russia, potentially leading to a power shift within the G20. Chinese President Xi Jinping played a pivotal role in the previous G20 summit in Brazil, offering support to emerging economies. Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China and Russia’s Sergei Lavrov are set to attend the upcoming meetings in Johannesburg, signifying their commitment to G20 cooperation.
The complexities of power dynamics within the G20 are further complicated by the membership overlap with the BRICS, a coalition established to challenge the global dominance of the United States and its Western allies. Members of the BRICS—China, Russia, Brazil, India, and other developing countries—are exploring avenues to collaborate and potentially fill any leadership vacuum that may arise.
South Africa is a member of the BRICS group. Last month, President Trump cautioned BRICS members against replacing the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency. He reiterated the threat of imposing 100% tariffs, which he had initially made just weeks after winning the U.S. presidential election. Following the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, there will be a finance ministers’ meeting scheduled for February 26th and 27th. It remains uncertain whether U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will attend this upcoming meeting. South Africa currently holds the G20 presidency until December, when it will be passed on to the United States. A leaders’ summit is planned for November. Additional reporting on this matter has been provided by Nellie Peyton and Sfundo Parakozov in Johannesburg, Ryan Woo in Beijing, and Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow. The writing has been done by Kopano Gumbi, with editing by Tim Cocks, Estelle Shirbon, and Alex Richardson.
