US Warns South Africa Not to Issue G-20 Statement at Summit

US Warns South Africa Not to Issue G-20 Statement at Summit

The US formally warned South Africa against pushing for a joint statement at this weekend’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg that the Trump administration is boycotting.

In the diplomatic communication delivered on Nov. 15, the US said it would neither participate in preparatory talks before the summit, nor the gathering of world leaders this weekend. It will block any outcome framed as a consensus G-20 position because South Africa’s priorities “run counter to US policy views,” according to a copy of the document.

“The US opposes issuance of any G-20 summit outcome document under the premise of a consensus G-20 position, without US agreement,” it said. “If a deliverable is issued under your presidency, it will be framed solely as a chair’s statement to accurately reflect the absence of consensus.”

A White House official called out the South African government for pursuing a G20 declaration against US objections, saying it’s a longstanding tradition to issue only consensus deliverables.

Despite the US opposition, South Africa is pressing ahead with efforts to obtain a joint statement at the summit that ends on Sunday.