President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his reservations about participating in the upcoming G-20 summit in South Africa, citing controversial domestic policies and violence.
According to the New York Post, the core of President Trump's objection lies with the Expropriation Act and reported incidents targeting white farmers.
Trump has criticized the new South African Expropriation Act passed in 2024, which permits the government to seize land for public interest, aimed at rectifying apartheid past injustices. In statements made on his Truth Social platform, he called out what he believes are severe consequences of this law.
The G-20 summit, scheduled for November 22-23 in Johannesburg, could have the United States absent if Trump's proposal to boycott the event proceeds. In his vocal condemnations, Trump has claimed the situation in South Africa revolves around "Land Confiscation and Genocide."
He further charged that the actual situation of violence against white farmers is being underreported by the mainstream media. This has resonated with his decision in February to halt all U.S. aid contributions to South Africa.
President Trump has mentioned Julius Malema, a prominent South African politician, accusing him of inciting violence. Specifically, he referenced Malema's violent language relating to revolution, which he found deeply concerning.
The South African government can take property under certain conditions without prior agreement on compensation through the Expropriation Act, which aims to address historical disparities. However, crime statistics from South Africa show a different dimension. Of 6,953 murders recorded over a recent three-month period, only 12 involved farm attacks, and it remains unclear how many of these victims were white.
Despite these figures, the advocacy group AfriForum insists that the plight of white farmers is worse than reported, suggesting a discrepancy between perceived and reported threats. They argue the murder rate among white farmers is disproportionately high.
Trump's response not only includes freezing aid but also offering a "rapid pathway" to U.S. citizenship for South African farmers feeling threatened and opting to emigrate.
Here is a statement from President Trump: “How could we be expected to go to South Africa for the very important G20 Meeting when Land Confiscation and Genocide is the primary topic of conversation?”
“They are taking the land of white Farmers, and then killing them and their families,” President Donald Trump remarked, showing strong concern for these groups' safety under new policies.
“The Media refuses to report on this,” he further criticized, questioning the objectivity and completeness of media coverage on this issue.
“Is this where we want to be for the G20? I don’t think so!” President Trump concluded on social media, signaling potential shifts in U.S. participation in global dialogues hosted in South Africa.
Observers have found President Trump's sharp critique and drastic measures like cutting aid and suggesting a boycott of the G20 summit as an escalation in international diplomacy. Such actions are likely to spark debates on the balance between internal sovereign policies and international human rights standards.
These measures and comments have ignited substantial discussion about political and racial tensions in South Africa, reflecting broader global concerns about property rights, equality, and the stability of international farming communities.
The situation continues to evolve, and we will see how it impacts the G20 summit—and U.S. relationships with South Africa and other nations.
