US Warns SA Against Issuing Joint G20 Summit Declaration

The United States (US) has formally notified the South African government that it opposes the issuance of a joint declaration at the conclusion of this week’s G20 summit in Johannesburg, according to sources.

Washington’s position is framed by its decision not to attend the summit and its view that, without full participation, the G20 will be unable to reach consensus on any closing statement.

In its communication, the US argued that the grouping should refrain from issuing a joint declaration under these circumstances and instead release a statement solely from the host chair. American officials contend that this approach would avoid creating the impression of unanimity that cannot be substantiated in the absence of key members.

US officials confirmed to The Common Sense that a note had been delivered.

South African officials are understood to be proceeding regardless. Pretoria has been working with attending countries on language for a joint summit declaration and is not expected to alter course in response to the US position.

Foreign policy experts who spoke to The Common Sense said the US had likely overplayed its hand by boycotting the summit, and that South African officials may feel emboldened to take on Washington from that platform. They added that Pretoria’s stance is further stiffened by domestic price pressures in the US that have forced a degree of tariff climbdown from the Trump administration, and hopes that the US Supreme Court may yet rule against the tariffs.