South Africa is confronting a deepening diplomatic rift with the United States after President Donald Trump confirmed that Washington will boycott the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. The South African government sharply criticised the move, saying the U.S. has "run away" from engagement on global issues. Tensions escalated earlier this year when Trump alleged a "white genocide" was underway in South Africa—claims dismissed as false and bolstered by misleading images later traced to Congo. President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly challenged the narrative, calling it baseless and inflammatory. As the G20 convenes on African soil for the first time, Pretoria hopes to highlight Global South priorities.