Archive · 14 Nov 2025
South Africa to symbolically hand G20 presidency to 'empty chair' in US absence
Imagine South Africa is hosting a big meeting for important countries called the G20.
The leader of the United States, President Trump, said he won't send anyone from his country because he believes bad things are happening to white people in South Africa.
South Africa's leader, President Ramaphosa, said that's not true and that everyone is treated fairly.
Since the U.S. won't come, President Ramaphosa plans to pretend to give the meeting's leadership spot to an empty chair.
He still wants to talk to President Trump to keep their countries' businesses working together, even though they disagree.
South Africa will symbolically hand over the G20 presidency to an 'empty chair' due to U.S. absence.
U.S. President Donald Trump cited 'human rights abuses' and claims of white South Africans being 'slaughtered' as reasons for non-attendance.
South African officials deny claims of race-based discrimination and ethnic cleansing.
President Ramaphosa stressed the importance of maintaining economic ties with the United States.
Trump previously stated refugee admissions to the U.S. would focus largely on Afrikaners from South Africa.
- Who
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and U.S. President Donald Trump
- What
- South Africa will symbolically hand over the G20 presidency to an 'empty chair' in the absence of U.S. leadership at the summit, due to President Trump's citing of human rights abuses.
- When
- November 22-23 (G20 Summit dates)
- Where
- South Africa (hosting the G20 presidency handover)
- Why
- President Trump cited 'human rights abuses' and 'widely debunked assertions' about white South Africans being 'slaughtered' and chased off their land as the reason for U.S. non-attendance.
South Africa's Stance
Trump Administration's Stance
Human Rights and Land Issues in South Africa
South Africa's Stance
South Africa denies that anyone faces discrimination based on race and refutes claims of ethnic cleansing against white South Africans. Officials are exasperated by Trump's assertions.
Trump Administration's Stance
President Trump cited 'human rights abuses' and 'widely debunked assertions' about white South Africans being 'slaughtered' and chased off their land as reasons for not attending.
US Attendance at G20 Summit
South Africa's Stance
South Africa intends to symbolically hand over the G20 presidency to an 'empty chair' in the US absence and emphasizes the need to maintain economic ties with the United States.
Trump Administration's Stance
No U.S. government official will attend the G20 summit in South Africa due to the aforementioned concerns.
- G20 Summit Date
- November 22-23
- US President Trump's Reason for Non-Attendance
- Cites 'human rights abuses' and claims of white South Africans being 'slaughtered' and chased off their land.
- South African President's Action
- Will symbolically hand over G20 presidency to an 'empty chair'.
- South Africa's Stance on Discrimination
- Denies any race-based discrimination and refutes ethnic cleansing claims.
- South Africa's Priority
- Maintaining economic ties with the United States.