USA NOW EYES G20 SUMMIT PARTICIPATION

THE South African government and their US counterparts were locked in last-minute discussions over Donald Trump's administration's change of mind about participating in one shape, form or other in the G20 summit summit, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

- AFP and SIYABONGA SITHOLE

He confirmed that Washington has had a “change of mind” about boycotting the summit in Johannesburg this weekend.

Until this announcement, the US had said it would not take part in the November 22-23 summit because it objected to the priorities for the meeting set by South Africa, the hosts of G20's rotating presidency this year.

“We have received notice from the United States, a notice which we are still in discussions with them about, about a change of mind about participating in one shape, form or other in the summit,” Ramaphosa told reporters.

“This comes 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,” he said.

South Africa saw the development as “a positive sign,” said Ramaphosa.

“All countries are here, and the United States, the biggest economy in the world, needs to be here,” he said.

“So it's pleasing to hear that there is a change of approach, and so we are still discussing how that will manifest.”