G20 in Johannesburg: China Backs South Africa as U.S. Stays Away in First-Ever Boycott

The G20 summit opened in Johannesburg with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urging members to protect the forum's credibility and global role amid an unprecedented U.S. boycott. Ramaphosa framed the first African-hosted G20 as a historic moment that "carries the hopes and must reflect the aspirations of the people of this continent and of the world," and warned the group must not allow its integrity to be weakened.

China moved quickly to support South Africa. Premier Li Qiang, representing President Xi Jinping, met Ramaphosa and pledged closer coordination within the G20 and BRICS to "uphold the multilateral trading system" and "promote reform of the global governance system," adding that China would "defend the common interests of developing countries." That backing helped ensure Johannesburg's priorities—strengthening disaster resilience and response, advancing debt sustainability, boosting climate finance, and encouraging processing of critical minerals at source—remained central to negotiations.

The leaders adopted a leaders' declaration on the opening day, an unusually early step because such texts are typically finalised after leaders' remarks or on the second day. Argentina declined to endorse the declaration, citing concerns about some of its content.

The summit unfolded against heightened diplomatic friction with Washington. The United States announced a broad boycott, and President Donald Trump publicly accused South Africa of persecuting Afrikaner farmers, a charge he described as "white genocide," which the South African government strongly rejects. Washington has also imposed reciprocal 30% tariffs on a range of South African exports, including agricultural products, automotive components, steel and aluminium, and has criticised South Africa's trade and foreign policy orientations.

There was confusion over U.S. participation after South African officials said talks were under way for a last-day delegation; the White House repeatedly maintained that no U.S. leaders would attend, although an embassy official was expected to take part in the formal G20 handover. South Africa pushed back on the idea of a handover conducted at the level of junior officials.

Notable absences included Russian President Vladimir Putin, who did not attend because of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant related to the war in Ukraine, and China’s Xi, who has limited international travel; Li attended in his stead. Several countries, including Mexico, Argentina and Indonesia, sent representatives rather than their heads of state.

Observers emphasised the summit's importance for the Global South. Steven Gruzd of the South African Institute of International Affairs said the presidency offered South Africa an opportunity to elevate issues such as debt relief, taxing extreme wealth and climate action. Sarang Shidore of the Quincy Institute predicted stronger language on World Trade Organization norms and more emphasis on climate commitments in the absence of full U.S. participation.

After Ramaphosa's address, leaders moved into closed-door talks to negotiate the declaration and next steps on financing, trade and global governance reform.

Key priorities highlighted: climate finance for developing countries; debt sustainability and restructuring; stronger disaster resilience and response; and local processing of critical minerals to boost industrialisation in producer countries.