G20 Summit | We know US announced they are taking over the Presidency: Dr Ntshwanti

The article is a transcript from a media discussion at the G20 Leaders' Summit in South Africa, hosted under President Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership, highlighting diplomatic tensions between South Africa (Pretoria) and the United States. Key issues include longstanding frictions stemming from a February executive order, the US's exclusion from the consensus declaration adopted at the summit, and rejection of last-minute US requests for high-level representation at the handover ceremony due to protocol breaches—the US ambassador nominee awaits Senate confirmation, so only a junior diplomat was offered. US Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (transcribed as Karen Lev) harshly criticized South African President Ramaphosa for 'running his mouth' after he expressed a desire to include the US 'inside the tent' for broader coalition-building. South African Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni responded dismissively, stating 'We are bigger than that,' emphasizing Ramaphosa's successful leadership in advancing the African agenda, innovating on social summits, and achieving consensus despite US absence. The G20, comprising 18 sovereign states plus two country blocs, represents 85% of global GDP, two-thirds of the world's population, and 75% of global trade, underscoring its resilience without full US participation. Broader context includes ongoing bilateral South Africa-US trade negotiations to reduce a 30% tariff, led by Trade Minister Parks Tau and adviser Dr. Alistair Ruiters. Looking ahead to the US G20 presidency in 2025, priorities include energy security ('drill, baby, drill' favoring fossil fuels), sustainability, and deregulated markets, potentially leading to confrontations over energy transitions—contradicting the summit's support for tripling renewable capacity and doubling energy efficiency, as well as legally binding Paris Agreement commitments (from which the US has withdrawn). The US approach may also confront East Asian countries on debt sustainability (US debt at 130% of GDP), prioritizing balance-of-payments fixes over reforms for low- and middle-income nations via IMF/World Bank. The summit adopted a voluntary, non-binding G20 Critical Minerals Framework to foster sustainable value chains, promote beneficiation at source, local participation, and regional integration for Africa—addressing historical exploitation (e.g., 'holes in the ground' from raw exports)—amid global needs for energy transitions, AI, and tech advances. South Africa engaged investors (e.g., Japan, EU) for technology transfer and capacity building, with hopes for African unity via forums like the Angola meeting. Implications include potential G20 gridlock under US leadership, but South Africa's diplomatic conduct aims for good-faith engagement, elevating developmental priorities like just energy transitions and African bargaining power through collective action.