From Trump’s absence to India’s presence: Why an empty chair at the G20 will define this year’s summit

The G20 Summit in Johannesburg was meant to be a celebration, the first-ever gathering of the world’s largest economies on African soil. Instead, it is set to be remembered for something entirely different: an empty chair.

When South African President Cyril Ramaphosa formally hands over the G20 presidency at the closing ceremony, there will be no leader waiting to receive it. The next chair of the G20, the United States, will be missing from the stage. President Donald Trump has decided to boycott the summit, turning what could have been a moment of global unity into a symbol of division.

Trump’s absence and the US boycott

For the first time in G20 history, no representative from the United States, not even a delegate, will attend the summit. The White House has claimed that the dec