US Skips Key G20 Agriculture Meeting in South Africa, Raising Eyebrows Post-Ramaphosa-Trump Talks

Only days after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with US President Donald Trump in Washington to rebuild strained diplomatic ties, the United States was conspicuously absent from the G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) held in Limpopo, South Africa, on Monday.

The meeting was expected to unite G20 member countries around shared agricultural goals—especially in areas such as climate change, food security, and agricultural innovation. But with the US choosing not to participate, questions are again being raised about the health of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Mixed Messages from Washington

President Ramaphosa’s visit to the White House last week aimed to stabilize relations, particularly ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled in Johannesburg this December. The South African delegation had high hopes that the meeting with Trump would clear the air and encourage continued US engagement in global forums.

However, instead of unity, the meeting was marred by controversy. According to sources, Trump presented discredited videos, including one purporting to show a mass grave of white South African farmers and footage of EFF leader Julius Malema singing “Kill the Boer.” Trump reportedly cited this as “evidence” of persecution against white farmers—a narrative widely debunked and criticized.

Despite the tense undertones, Ramaphosa had remained optimistic. Speaking after the meeting, he stated that Trump had committed to continued US participation in the G20 and even hoped to attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg—where the US is scheduled to take over the G20 presidency from South Africa.

But the US absence from the MACS meeting may be signaling otherwise.

No Explanation Given

Speaking to the SABC, Mooketsa Ramasodi, Director-General of Limpopo’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, confirmed that the US was the only G20 member not present at the high-level agricultural gathering.

“The USA is part of the G20 leadership troika along with Brazil and South Africa, yet they were missing,” Ramasodi said. “We weren’t given any official reason for their non-participation. Still, every other G20 country was represented, alongside key African research bodies and international organizations—all committed to advancing global food and agriculture goals.”

A Broader Diplomatic Snub?

The US absence may be more than just a scheduling conflict. It appears to reflect ongoing mistrust or unresolved diplomatic tensions—particularly around narratives of farmer violence in South Africa, a topic Trump has amplified in the past.

While other major retailers, political leaders, and international organizations push for collaboration on food security and climate action, the lack of US involvement in such a pivotal meeting signals potential disengagement at a time when global agricultural cooperation is crucial.

What’s Next?

With the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg fast approaching, South Africa will need to navigate a fine line—continuing its efforts to engage the US while also holding firm on misinformation that damages its global image.

For now, the ball seems to be in Washington’s court. Whether President Trump or a US delegation shows up in December will say a lot about the future of US–South Africa cooperation.

Trump to Attend G20 Summit in Johannesburg as US Set to Take Over G20 Presidency

{Source: IOL}

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