United States President Donald Trump will not attend the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa. Instead, Vice President JD Vance will lead the American delegation.
The White House confirmed the decision on Thursday, stating that Trump must focus on domestic commitments. Officials emphasized that the U.S. remains engaged in global discussions.
“The President has asked Vice President Vance to lead the U.S. delegation. He has full confidence that the Vice President will advance America’s interests,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The summit, to be held in Johannesburg, will bring together leaders from the world’s largest economies to discuss issues like climate change, energy security, and trade. This will be Vice President Vance’s first major international appearance since taking office.
The decision has received mixed reactions. Critics see it as a sign of weakened U.S. commitment to global cooperation. Supporters say it shows Trump’s focus on domestic issues and his trust in Vance.
South Africa, as the host, has welcomed the participation of the U.S. delegation. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to use the event to advocate for more support for developing nations.
The summit is still expected to produce key agreements on economic stability. For Vance, the event is seen as a major test of his diplomatic skills on the world stage.
BREAKING NEWS | President Trump to skip G20 Summit in SA, will send Vice President JD Vance instead pic.twitter.com/bboGvu7dFP
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 5, 2025