Germany Steps In: A Diplomatic Dance Over South Africa's G20 Spot

Germany is stepping up to mediate a growing rift between the U.S. and South Africa.

The Issue: South Africa's Invitation to the Next G20 Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump has revoked South Africa's invitation to the next G20 summit. This decision follows Trump's accusations that South Africa is mistreating its white minority, claims widely disputed by experts.

Background on the Dispute

• May Meeting: Trump raised these allegations during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, citing reports of a so-called "genocide" against white farmers, which many experts have debunked.
• Skipped Meeting: The U.S. skipped the recent G20 meeting in Johannesburg, citing human rights concerns. Despite this, the group released a joint statement on global challenges, including climate change.

Trump's Announcement

Trump announced his decision on social media, stating:

"South Africa is not a country worthy of membership anywhere."

He also mentioned that South Africa refused to hand over the G20 presidency to a U.S. representative after the Johannesburg summit. South Africa, however, claims that the U.S. was not present at the summit and that the presidency was handed over to an embassy official later.

Germany's Mediation Efforts

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly stated that he will try to persuade Trump to invite South Africa to the next summit. He believes that the G7 and G20 should not be exclusive clubs.

South Africa's Response

South Africa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya mentioned that many G20 members have privately expressed support for South Africa but did not name any specific countries. South Africa has made it clear that it will continue to participate in the G20 and will not lobby individual nations for support.

Impact on Trade Negotiations

The diplomatic tension is adding strain to ongoing U.S.-South Africa trade negotiations, which are already tense due to recent U.S. tariffs on South African imports and a cut in financial aid.

Uncertainty Over Exclusion

It's unclear how Trump plans to formally exclude South Africa from the next summit, as it is a founding member of the G20. One possibility is that the U.S. could deny visas to South African officials.