South Africa has assumed the rotational leadership of the Group of 20, the world's leading economies, from Brazil. The country will hold the presidency until the end of 2025, working alongside Brazil and the United States as per G20 protocol.
During South Africa's G20 presidency, President Cyril Ramaphosa aims to highlight the impact of climate change on developing nations, marking the first time an African nation has held this position. This comes at a time when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed skepticism towards international cooperation on climate issues.
President Ramaphosa expressed confidence in the G20's ability to function effectively even if the incoming U.S. administration adopts an America First policy. He mentioned the presence of sufficient 'shock absorbers' to ensure the group's continued operation and emphasized the importance of advancing global interests.
Trump's foreign policy stance has raised concerns, with his threats of imposing new tariffs on countries like China, Mexico, and Canada. Additionally, he warned of potential 100% tariffs against nations in the BRICS bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, China, India, and South Africa, among others.
Despite Trump's warnings, Ramaphosa extended an invitation to the U.S. president-elect for a state visit to South Africa, highlighting the country's beautiful golf courses and expressing hope for Trump's attendance at the G20 summit in late 2025. Ramaphosa humorously suggested a golf outing to discuss global matters if Trump finds the time amidst his busy schedule.
As South Africa takes on its G20 presidency, the country aims to navigate potential challenges posed by shifting global dynamics and differing policy approaches, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and consensus-building.
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