G20 Summit 2024 Will Be Seamless Despite Trump’s Absence, Assures Mbeki. Image Credit: TimesLIVE
G20 Summit 2025: Seamless Transition Despite Trump’s Absence
The G20 Summit 2025 is set to proceed smoothly in November, even as US President Donald Trump confirmed he will not be attending. Instead, he will be sending his deputy, JD Vance, to represent the United States at the gathering. This announcement has sparked discussions about the implications for global diplomacy, but former President Thabo Mbeki has reassured that South Africa’s efforts will ensure a successful handover.
Speaking on the sidelines of the African Peace and Security Dialogue in Magaliesburg, Mbeki emphasized Pretoria’s commitment. “I think it would still be seamless. Of course, we would have preferred President Trump to come, but it is still perfect if Deputy President Vance comes. Our government is keen to hand over to President Trump. There is a lot of work that has been put behind G20. What we would hand over to the United States at the end of the year would be a very rich programme about the agenda of the G20,” he stated.
G20 Summit 2025: The Importance of Continuity
Mbeki reminded the public that the G20 Summit is not an isolated event but rather the culmination of multiple engagements and thematic discussions. He highlighted that the US, as the incoming presidency of the G20, will inherit a robust programme. This ensures that the priorities identified under South Africa’s presidency — such as inclusive economic growth, climate change mitigation, and strengthening multilateral cooperation will remain central.
Minister Ronald Lamola also weighed in, noting that “it would be a welcome move to have a U.S. representative at the level of the vice president, particularly because the U.S. will host the next presidency of the G20. This ensures continuity and strategic alignment on pressing global issues.”
US-South Africa Relations Remain Crucial
The G20 Summit 2025 comes amid a complex period in US-South Africa relations. Mbeki acknowledged the diplomatic challenges that have characterized the early months of Trump’s presidency but praised Pretoria’s approach in mitigating tensions. “Trump has actually defined the relations between the U.S. and South Africa earlier this year when he took over as president, and it has been a very bumpy one for South Africa. But I think by and large, the South African approach of focusing more on the diplomatic approaches has, to a very large extent, tried to minimize the frustrations and the tensions,” Mbeki added.
One key area of concern remains the lack of ambassadors between the two nations, which has slowed formal diplomatic processes. “We are yet to have an ambassador in the U.S., and we are yet to receive a U.S. ambassador also in South Africa to formalize these relations and facilitate our relationship,” Mbeki emphasised. “As you know, we’ve got a lot of economic dealings we have with the U.S., so it’s always going to be an important relationship that would need both sides to come together.”
Economic Stakes and Job Creation
Mbeki pointed out that American investments have created thousands of jobs in South Africa, making bilateral relations essential. “The reality is that we have got massive U.S. investments in South Africa that have created a lot of jobs that we need to be thinking around when we engage Americans,” he stressed.
Political analyst Professor Kiribati Pakwo explained that this situation could also be an opportunity. “What this means is that many of these countries should then come together and find other alternative markets so that they are not going to find themselves over-relying on bilateral ties with the U.S. when which has been demonstrated to be so much unreliable, especially during the second Trump administration.”
The Global Significance of G20 Summit 2024
The G20 Summit 2025 will focus on major global issues such as sustainable economic development, equitable trade, and climate resilience.
Mbeki’s Optimistic Outlook
Mbeki’s reassurances highlight South Africa’s determination to ensure a seamless G20 Summit 2024 despite Trump’s absence. The focus remains on diplomacy, economic stability, and continuity. With JD Vance attending on behalf of the US, the world’s eyes will be on Pretoria as it hands over the G20 presidency — a critical moment for both South Africa and the global community.
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