Former U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will boycott the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa, saying Washington should not participate in what he described as “a forum that refuses to hold hostile actors accountable.”
Trump did not clarify which administration authority or mechanism supports the decision, but argued that the G20 in its current form is losing relevance and that the U.S. should not “lend legitimacy” to a platform that he claims does not align with American strategic interests. His comments have set off confusion in diplomatic circles, as sitting U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed such a move.
International policy analysts say a U.S. boycott — if formally confirmed — would be one of the most dramatic diplomatic breaks in the history of the G20, a forum built to manage global economic crises and coordinate major policy decisions. “Walking away would send shockwaves through global markets and weaken multilateral coordination,” one diplomatic researcher said.
The G20 Summit in South Africa this year was expected to focus heavily on energy security, global debt restructuring, supply chain rebuilding, and digital trade rules — all areas where U.S. participation has historically been central.
South African officials have not responded to Trump’s remarks, but G20 observers say the absence of the United States would fundamentally alter the tone and impact of the summit. Other major powers — including India, the EU, the UK, Japan, Brazil, and Indonesia — are likely to push forward, but the ability to forge binding agreements without Washington would be limited.
Trump’s comments will now test the Biden administration’s next move: confirm, deny, or contradict. Many diplomats believe that if the U.S. ultimately refuses to attend, it will raise serious questions about America’s willingness to lead — or even remain engaged — in global economic governance at a moment when geopolitical competition is intensifying and global economic risks are rising.