outh African President Cyril Ramaphosa has downplayed the impact of the United States’ decision to boycott the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg, insisting that the world’s leading economies will still take “fundamental decisions” in his country.

Speaking to reporters outside parliament, Ramaphosa described the US absence as “their loss,” adding that Washington was forgoing an essential leadership role as the world’s largest economy.

“Boycott politics doesn’t work,” Ramaphosa said, responding to former US President Donald Trump’s earlier claims that white South Africans, or Afrikaners, were being persecuted and that land seizures were unjust. Trump also labeled South Africa’s hosting of the summit a “total disgrace” and initially said he would send Vice President JD Vance in his place rather than attend personally.

Despite the diplomatic tension, Ramaphosa stressed that the summit, scheduled for 22–23 November, would go ahead as planned. The South African leader emphasized that the gathering of G20 economies transcends the absence of any single country and provides a platform for crucial global economic decisions.

Observers note that Ramaphosa’s response frames South Africa as a capable and resilient host, underscoring the country’s role in shaping global economic dialogue, even amid political disagreements.