South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the United States has signalled a potential reversal of its earlier decision to boycott the G20 Leaders’ Summit, describing the late-breaking development as “very positive”.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday night following a trilateral meeting with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ramaphosa said Pretoria had received notice from Washington indicating a possible change in approach regarding U.S. participation.
“We are still in discussions with them over a change of mind about participating in one shape, form or other in the summit,” he said.
The message from the US arrived on the eve of the summit, prompting urgent consultations to assess its implications.
“This comes really at the late hour before the summit begins and so, therefore, we do need to engage in those types of discussions to see how practical it is and what it finally really means.”
Despite the timing, Ramaphosa welcomed the shift, reiterating his long-held view that “boycott politics never work.”
He emphasised the importance of US engagement in global governance.
“The tent is G20; all countries are here and the United States, being the biggest economy in the world, needs to be here.”
The development marks a potential turning point following weeks of diplomatic tension.
The US had previously announced a full boycott of the summit, citing opposition to South Africa’s G20 priorities.
President Donald Trump had warned against issuing any joint declaration under Pretoria’s presidency, threatening to block consensus and insisting that any outcome be framed as a Chair’s Statement.
Earlier on Thursday, Ramaphosa told reporters that the G20 process was progressing decisively with or without US participation.
He expressed confidence that negotiations on a summit declaration were nearing completion.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit, hosted for the first time on African soil, is set to run from 22-23 November in Johannesburg.
JN/APA