Trump’s G20 exclusion of SA has economic implications

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s announcement that South Africa would not be invited to attend the G20 summit in 2026, as well as stopping payments and subsidies, is set to prove that the US has power and dominates the economy.

- MANYANE MANYANE [e-mail]

These are the views of political analysts and economists who said South Africa cannot afford a “standoff” with the US, which is a major lender through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, and the investor through the international banks and companies such as Coca Cola.

Trump announced on Wednesday evening via his social media platform that South Africa would not receive an invitation to the 2026 G20, which is expected to be held in Miami, Florida.

He also added that the US will stop all payments and subsidies with immediate effect.

His remarks followed South Africa's refusal to symbolically pass the G20 presidency to a senior US Embassy representative at the close of this year’s summit in Johannesburg.