Discussions are being held over the possibility that the US might attend the G20 summit in South Africa after all.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says they have received a notice from the US ‘about a change of mind about participating in one shape, form or other in the summit’. Ramaphosa, however, said that discussions were still ongoing.

He said the notice comes at ‘a late hour’ before the summit and that discussions were needed to determine how practical it would be for the US to attend the summit.

“In a way, we see this as a positive sign because as I’ve often said, boycott politics doesn’t work,” Ramaphosa said.
According to him, it’s important for the US to attend the summit as it has the biggest economy in the world.

Follow-up article | G20 in SA: US will not participate in official discussions

US president Donald Trump previously, and on numerous occasions, said that no US delegates would be attending the G20 summit, which is being held this weekend in Johannesburg.

Handover only?

However, some news reports indicate that the USA will not participate in the summit. The Washington Times reported earlier today that a representative from the US embassy in South Africa will attend the formal handover ceremony at the end of the summit, but that the United States would still not take part in any talks. The publication quoted a White House official ‘who was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity’.

We have received notice from the United States with regards to participation in the G20 Leaders’ Summit. Discussions are ongoing. #G20SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/xnQJ4X5iOI

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) November 20, 2025

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