Trump Reverses G20 Boycott, Sends Acting Ambassador to South Africa

U.S. decides to participate after initial vow to skip summit

Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States will no longer boycott the upcoming Group of Twenty (G20) summit in Durban, South Africa. Instead, a senior State Department official will serve as acting ambassador and attend the meeting on behalf of the president.

The shift comes after Trump previously declared that the United States would stay away from the summit, citing concerns over “unfair trade practices” and the host country’s stance on certain diplomatic issues. White House officials said the decision was revisited following intensive consultations with allies and senior members of the administration.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that “the United States remains committed to constructive engagement with its G20 partners, and we will be represented at the Durban summit by a qualified senior official.” He added that the acting ambassador will have full authority to discuss key agenda items, including global economic recovery, climate finance, and international security.

Critics of the reversal argue that the move undermines the president’s earlier stance, while supporters claim it reflects a pragmatic approach to preserving U.S. influence on the world stage. The acting ambassador is expected to arrive in South Africa next week, ahead of the summit scheduled for early November.

Analysts note that the United States’ participation, even at a lower diplomatic level, will be crucial for shaping the summit’s outcomes on issues such as debt relief for developing nations, supply‑chain resilience, and coordinated responses to emerging health threats.