Leaders arrive for historic G20 summit overshadowed by rift between South Africa and U.S.

Leaders arrive for historic G20 summit overshadowed by rift between South Africa and U.S. World Nov 21, 2025 2:58 PM EST

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — World leaders arrived Friday for a historic first Group of 20 summit in Africa that aims to put the problems of poor countries at the top of the global agenda. But the talks have been undermined by a rift between host South Africa and the United States over a Trump administration boycott.

The weekend summit in Johannesburg will be attended by delegations from 18 of the world’s richest and top developing economies — minus the U.S., which has branded South Africa’s hosting a “disgrace” and won’t participate in the talks.

The boycott by the world’s biggest economy and founding G20 member was ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump over his claims tha