Cape Town, South Africa — As South Africa takes on the presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence that the global coalition has enough “shock absorbers” to effectively navigate potential challenges posed by the incoming Donald Trump administration. Trump has advocated an “America First” policy which may prioritize national interests over international collaboration.
Assuming leadership from Brazil, South Africa is scheduled to pass the G20 presidency to the United States by the conclusion of 2025. This rotation of leadership will witness South Africa, Brazil, and the United States collaborating closely over the next year under G20 protocols.
During this pivotal time, Ramaphosa is committed to raising the profile of climate change and its effects on developing nations, during South Africa’s presidency—the first for an African country. This focus is crucial, especially given Trump’s previous reluctance to engage in global climate initiatives.
“We will seek to attain sufficient consensus on decisions that need to be made by the G20,” Ramaphosa stated in response to inquiries about the G20’s preparedness for Trump’s anticipated approach. “I believe there will be adequate shock absorbers implemented that will allow the G20 to continue functioning effectively. Our objective is to advance the welfare of people worldwide.”
In light of Trump’s combative foreign policy stance, there are rising concerns. He has signaled intentions to impose new tariffs on nations including China, Mexico, and Canada, and recently threatened 100% tariffs against members of the BRICS trading bloc, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Trump outlined on the social media platform X that these countries could expect to “wave goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy” if they continue pursuing alternatives to the U.S. dollar for international trade. Although BRICS nations have expressed a desire to reduce their dollar dependency, tangible actions toward this aim have been limited, largely due to the dollar’s established dominance.
In a gesture of diplomacy, Ramaphosa revealed that he had reached out to Trump to congratulate him on his electoral success. He humorously suggested a state visit where the golf-loving Trump could enjoy South Africa’s renowned golf courses. Ramaphosa expressed hope that Trump would attend the upcoming G20 summit set to take place in South Africa in late 2025.
“If he finds the time—considering how busy he is—perhaps President Trump and I can play some golf together while discussing global issues,” Ramaphosa remarked.
As the world looks towards the G20’s future under the South African presidency, leaders will undoubtedly face a dynamic landscape shaped by national policies and international sentiments.
