On November 14 local time, South African President Ramaphosa stated that in light of the United States' decision to skip next week's G20 Summit, this summit will symbolically hand over the chairmanship of the next summit to an empty chair as a response to the U.S. absence. However, he also emphasized that although South Africa is dissatisfied with this, it will maintain its trade and economic relations with the United States to safeguard its own interests.
It is reported that the 20th G20 Leaders' Summit will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 22 to 23.
South African President Ramaphosa Reuters
This year, relations between the United States and South Africa have been tense, with the Trump administration repeatedly criticizing South Africa's land expropriation policies and so-called "white human rights" situation, exerting political and public pressure on the South African government to push it to align more with the U.S. position in its relations with America. On November 7, Trump again criticized South Africa and said that U.S. officials would not attend the G20 Joburg Summit.
According to Reuters, during a site visit to inspect the preparations for the summit, Ramaphosa said, "I have previously stated that I do not want to hand over the chairmanship to an empty chair, but it will be there. I will probably symbolically hand over the chairmanship to that empty chair, and then talk with President Trump."
Despite his dissatisfaction with the U.S. stance, Ramaphosa emphasized that maintaining economic relations with the United States is crucial. He said, "The products we export to that country will not go to the White House, but into the hands of American consumers." He added, "Some may think we should not engage with the United States, but sometimes you have to talk to people who are not always friendly to you... because you need to advance the interests of your own people."
Earlier on the 12th, when he was interviewed by the South African media "Africa Electronic News Channel," he had also expressed regret, saying that the U.S. decision to not attend the summit was unfortunate, but the summit will proceed as usual, with leaders from other countries attending as planned. "In the end, we will make some very important decisions, and their absence is their own loss. In many ways, the United States is abandoning its important role as the world's largest economy."
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