EDITORIAL | G20 boycott suggests US is on wrong side of history
Executive Summary
Tensions between US President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa have escalated ahead of the G20 leaders' summit in Johannesburg, with the White House accusing Ramaphosa of inflammatory remarks and confirming only junior US officials will attend. The dispute stems from South Africa's refusal to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, its International Court of Justice case against Israel over Gaza, and resulting US punitive tariffs alongside unsubstantiated claims of a 'genocide' against white South Africans. This clash reflects broader ideological differences: Trump's emphasis on American dominance versus South Africa's push for global equality, debt relief, and sustainable development. The US snub highlights a shifting multipolar world order, affirming South Africa's role in advocating for developing nations' interests.