In a move that has shocked many South Africans, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that America will push to remove South Africa from the 2026 G20 Summit and replace us with Poland.
Speaking in Washington on 3 December 2025, Rubio said South Africa had used its 2025 G20 presidency to “ignore American proposals, block real talks and push a politics of grievance” that often included anti-American messages. He accused Pretoria of focusing too much on diversity programmes and what he called “radical climate demands” instead of issues the US sees as important.
The announcement comes just weeks after Rubio boycotted the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting held in Johannesburg last month. At the time he criticised South Africa for putting race, gender and green energy ahead of trade and security matters.
South Africa took over the G20 presidency on 1 December 2024 and was meant to host the big leaders’ summit next year. If the US plan goes ahead, that meeting will happen without us – and Poland will sit at the table instead.
Government spokesperson Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the Department of International Relations is studying the statement and will reply at the right time. Inside sources say President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office is angry but wants to avoid a public fight that could hurt trade ties.
Political analyst Somadoda Fikeni told News24 this is the strongest sign yet that relations between Pretoria and Washington are at their lowest point in years. “America is sending a clear message: play by our rules or stay out,” he said.
Many ordinary South Africans took to social media to voice their disappointment, while others said the country should stand firm on its own priorities.
For now, the future of South Africa’s place among the world’s top economies hangs in the balance.
