PM Narendra Modi’s proposals at the G20 Summit — from a Global Healthcare Response Team to a Traditional Knowledge Repository, a G20–Africa Skills Initiative, and a coordinated Drug-Terror Nexus crackdown — came at a time when the global stage saw the conspicuous absence of three major leaders: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping.
While Putin skipped the summit due to the ICC arrest warrant, and Xi reportedly because of ill health, Trump’s boycott stood out for its political messaging.
Why Trump Really Boycotted the Summit
Trump publicly cited the “persecution of white Afrikaners” in South Africa — a claim widely debunked by South Africa’s government, Afrikaner groups, and international media.
However, Trump still opted for a full US boycott, using the claim as justification.
But Is That the Real Reason?
Analysts point to deeper geopolitical and strategic motives:
A Signal of Disapproval Toward South Africa’s Foreign Policy
South Africa has taken positions that Trump dislikes — closer ties with China, hosting Russia at BRICS, and openly criticizing US global influence. Boycotting the G20 hosted by South Africa acts as a rebuke.
A Move to Undercut Multilateral Forums
Trump has long expressed skepticism of global groupings:
- He previously called NATO “obsolete,”
- Threatened withdrawal from the WTO,
- Repeatedly undermined the G7,
- And tried shifting global focus toward bilateral deals instead of multilateral frameworks.
Skipping the G20 may reflect a broader attitude: the US should not be “bound” by large global groups, especially as they now tilt toward the Global South.
Opposition to the G20’s Expansion Into G21
With the African Union joining as a permanent member, the G20 now has a larger Global South footprint.
Trump’s worldview prioritizes US dominance, not multipolarity.
A stronger African representation — championed by India — may be seen by Trump as weakening US leverage.
Appeasing Far-Right Domestic Constituencies
Claims of “white genocide” in South Africa have long circulated in US far-right circles, which form a key part of Trump’s political base.
Using the Afrikaner issue as a reason to skip the summit gives Trump a high-visibility platform to reinforce his alignment with his supporters’ narratives.
An Attempt to Distance the US from Emerging Global Power Blocs
The global order is shifting:
- BRICS is expanding
- AU is now in the G20
- China and Russia are strengthening parallel platforms
Trump’s non-attendance could be read as:
“If the G20 becomes a Global South–leaning group, the US will not legitimize it.”
So, Is It Diplomacy or Disengagement?
Experts believe it’s both:
- Diplomatic signaling to South Africa and the Global South
- Political signaling to his domestic right-wing base
- Strategic disengagement from multilateral settings that do not guarantee US dominance
Whether this represents a temporary protest or an early move toward US withdrawal from G20/G21 remains an open question — but the implications for global governance are significant.
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