Trump's G20 agenda: A US-centric shift in global diplomatic priorities

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump is likely to shift the focus of the G20 from development and global equity themes to a US-centric platform centred on trade, energy, security and strategic competition with China.

- MANYANE MANYANE [e-mail]

These are the views of political analysts after the US assumed its G20 Presidency by cleaning the website of the previous host, South Africa, which it has pointedly excluded from next year’s summit. The analysts said this would mark a sharp departure from the priorities set in Johannesburg.

The US will host the G20 Summit in Miami, Florida, next year.

In a statement issued on Monday, the US said under Trump’s leadership, the country will return the G20 to focusing on its core mission of driving economic growth and prosperity to produce results.

“As we usher in these much-needed reforms, we will prioritise three core themes: unleashing economic prosperity by limiting regulatory burdens, unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering new technologies and innovations,” read the statement.