Lamola says US Vice President Vance will be welcomed as Trump avoids G20 Summit

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has stated that the country remains unfazed by United States President Donald Trump’s decision to miss the upcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg this November. 

Instead US Vice President JD Vance will represent the country, a move that Lamola has openly welcomed, underscoring South Africa's commitment to diplomatic engagement despite the change in US representation.

Trump’s non-attendance at the high-stakes summit comes as no surprise, as he had previously indicated his intent to skip the event, citing unsubstantiated claims of systemic persecution and killing of white citizens in South Africa.

These claims have been widely debunked and have contributed to an already strained relationship between Washington and Pretoria.

Lamola, however, has chosen to focus on the pragmatic aspects of the US delegation. 

Expressing his enthusiasm for engaging with Vance, Lamola stressed that Trump's absence would not sidetrack the critical G20 agenda. 

“We welcome the fact that he has assigned or appointed his deputy president, JD Vance, to be the one who attends the G20 in South Africa,” Lamola said during a national television interview.

“We welcome this development. The US can assign anyone that President Trump deems necessary. We look forward to interacting with him on the platforms of the G20.”

He said South Africa was ready to work with whoever the US government designates, prioritising the substantive discussions of the summit over the presence of any single leader.

The decision for Trump to skip the summit unfolds against a backdrop of increasing diplomatic friction between the two nations. 

Tensions have simmered over several contentious issues, including US tariffs imposed on South African exports, reductions in vital HIV/AIDS funding, and Trump’s persistent criticism of South Africa’s treatment of minority groups. 

Notably, Trump had previously levied a significant 30% tariff on South African exports, a measure that had been the subject of intense negotiation to prevent potential job losses within South Africa’s export-oriented industries.

These underlying disputes contribute to the perception of a fragile relationship, yet Lamola’s stance projects a desire to look beyond these immediate challenges.

Despite the notable absence of the US President, the G20 summit is still expected to proceed with ambitious goals and significant outcomes. 

Lamola acknowledged that the White House might eventually provide more detailed explanations for Trump’s decision not to attend, but he firmly reiterated that the summit’s success would not be compromised. 

“We believe that the G20 will still be able to produce ambitious outcomes. We don’t want to be in any conspiratorial or second-guessing,” Lamola said, dismissing any speculation that Trump’s absence might diminish the summit’s impact or lead to a less productive gathering.

The G20 summit will bring together leaders from the world’s major economies, including powerhouses like China, France, Germany, India, Japan, and Russia. 

This platform serves as a forum for addressing pressing global issues, ranging from economic stability and climate change to international security and development. 

The significance of the summit is further highlighted by the fact that it sets global policy directions and fosters multilateral cooperation.

International Relations Expert Rich Mashimbye said South Africa should remain committed to robust engagement with the US and all other G20 member countries, irrespective of Trump’s decision not to attend the summit. 

“Minister Lamola’s welcoming and pragmatic response to Vice President Vance’s attendance serves as a clear indication of South Africa’s unwavering desire to maintain strong diplomatic relations and actively work towards shared global objectives." 

He said the G20 summit was poised to serve as an indispensable platform for deliberating critical global challenges and collectively formulating effective solutions, thereby solidifying South Africa’s role as a proactive and engaged participant in international diplomacy.

"South Africa should stand firm in the face of US pressure, particularly  when considering the leveraging strategies used by Trump."

Mashimbye said that South Africa has a bargaining power position and that it should stand firm.

“Perhaps this is an opportunity for SA to have new relations with other US leaders and try a new relationship with Vance,” he said.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za