Deputy President Paul Mashatile has criticised US President Donald Trump’s approach to South Africa, calling it “problematic,” but he maintains it will not affect the implementation of the G20 declaration adopted in Johannesburg.
Mashatile also dismissed the idea that South Africa might skip next year’s G20 summit in the United States, stressing that no such boycott is on the table.
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His comments follow a stir caused by presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, who hinted on social media that South Africa could take a “commercial break” from G20 engagements as the US assumes leadership and threatens to sideline the country.
Mashatile made the remarks during a briefing with Parliament’s Press Gallery Association.
G20 Progress Will Continue Despite US Resistance
Mashatile said the US government’s posture was far from ideal but insisted the broader G20 agenda would proceed as agreed by global leaders in Johannesburg.
“The current President Trump’s posture is problematic, but it will not derail the G20,” he said.
He noted that if Washington chooses to disregard the outcomes of this year’s summit, it risks becoming isolated within the grouping.
“But G20 itself will not be derailed because countries in South Africa this year are moving ahead with the declaration, and to the extent that the U.S. may want to ignore some of those, they might end up being the only country that does so when the rest of the world is moving in another direction,” Mashatile added.
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Expect a Less ‘Rigorous’ G20 Under US Hostship
Mashatile further suggested that the 2026 G20 summit under US hostship may be less expansive and potentially feature fewer international guests and participants.
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