In a brief statement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed claims that the US is in discussions with South Africa to attend the G20 as false.

This denial follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement yesterday that the US had ‘a change of mind about participating in one shape, form or other in the summit’.

In her statement, Leavitt said: “I saw the South African president running his mouth a little bit against the United States and the president of the United States earlier today and that language is not appreciated.”

She emphasised that the US will not be engaging in official talks, ‘despite what the South African president is falsely claiming’.

Meanwhile, several heads of state and dignitaries from the G20 – the premier forum for the world’s leading economies – have arrived in South Africa for the first summit on African soil.

On X, the president of the European Council, António Costa, wrote: “Hello Johannesburg! Great to be here for the very first G20 summit on African soil.”

📍 Hello Johannesburg 🇿🇦 ! Great to be here for the very first @g20org Summit on African soil.

A strong signal of Africa’s growing strategic importance in a multipolar world.

Looking forward to our Leaders’ meeting later today @CyrilRamaphosa #G20SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/zDqU1buoK5

— António Costa (@eucopresident) November 20, 2025

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, wrote: “Touchdown in Joburg for an intense week ahead across the continent.”

📍Touchdown in Joburg for an intense week ahead across the continent.

• Leaders’ Meeting with South Africa, with key discussions on trade, raw materials and clean energy

• First-ever G20 Summit on African soil

• Final pledging event of our Scaling Up Renewables for Africa… pic.twitter.com/2txQkN4B0R

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 20, 2025