US wants to reverse boycott and join G20 summit, says South African president

The United States government has indicated that it has had a “change of mind” and wants to take part in the Group of 20 summit in South Africa in a reverse of its boycott, the South African president said on Thursday.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the summit host country had received communication from the US at “the eleventh hour” and was now working on the logistics to accommodate the US.

US President Donald Trump had announced that his administration would boycott the two-day meeting of wealthy and developing nations in Johannesburg that opens on Saturday. Trump has said the US was boycotting over his claims that Ramaphosa’s government is violently persecuting a white minority.

Ramaphosa, who was speaking after a meeting with top European Union officials in Johannesburg, said communications from the US had been received while he was at that meeting.

“The United States is a member of the G20, they are an original member of the G20, so they have the right to be here,” Ramaphosa told reporters. “And all we are seeking to do is looking at the practicalities … for them to participate.”

Ramaphosa said “hopefully” the US seat at the summit would be occupied when it opens, but gave no indication who might represent the US government.

Trump had said Vice-President J.D. Vance would represent the US before he announced the boycott.