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By, Biola Davies South Africa has downplayed Trump’s derogatory remarks as it prepares to host the summit in Johannesburg later this month. U.S. President Donald Trump has called for South Africa to be removed from the Group of 20 (G20) major economies, saying the country “shouldn’t be in the Gs anymore” But, South Africa has dismissed the remarks, insisting preparations for the global gathering remain firmly on track. Speaking at a conference in Miami on Wednesday, Trump questioned South Africa’s continued membership in the G20 and announced that he would not attend the upcoming summit, sending Vice President JD Vance in his place. Notably, the United States is scheduled to assume the G20 presidency after South Africa’s term concludes later this year. Trump’s comments are the latest in a series of criticisms he has directed at South Africa, the continent’s largest economy, including claims that the government discriminates against its white minority, allegations that Pretoria and independent observers have repeatedly dismissed as false. Pretoria Stands FirmIn response, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said South Africa remained confident in its ability to host a “successful and inclusive” summit, adding that preparations were continuing as scheduled. “The government of South Africa is fully prepared to deliver a productive G20 summit that reflects the priorities of both developed and developing economies,” Magwenya told the BBC. President Trump is arguing that South Africa “no longer deserves a place” among the world’s major economies. Speaking at the American Business Forum in Miami, Trump said, “South Africa shouldn’t even be in the G’s anymore, because what’s happened there is bad.” Vice President J.D. Vance will represent the United States at the meeting, set for November 22–23. Trump, a longtime critic of South Africa’s land reform policies, has accused the government of targeting white farmers and committing “massive human rights violations”—claims Pretoria has dismissed as “factually incorrect” and based on a distorted view of its policies.
