Khaberni - President Donald Trump said on Friday that none of his government officials will participate in this year's G20 summit in South Africa, justifying his decision with what he described as "poor treatment of white farmers" there.
Trump had previously announced that he would not attend the annual summit, which brings together leaders of the world's largest advanced and emerging economies.
The Vice President, JD Vance, was scheduled to participate instead of him, but a person familiar with Vance's schedule – who asked to remain anonymous to discuss the matter – said that Vance would not travel to the summit either.
Trump said on his social media platform: "It is completely shameful that the G20 summit is being held in South Africa."
In his post, Trump accused the South African government of committing "violations" against the Afrikaners (white farmers), referring to what he described as “violence, death, and the seizing of lands and farms.”
The Trump administration has long accused the South African government of allowing the minority Afrikaner white farmers to be persecuted and attacked.
However, the South African government said it was surprised by these allegations, noting that white citizens generally enjoy a much higher standard of living than black citizens, more than three decades after the end of the apartheid regime that was governed by the white minority.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa informed Trump that the information regarding discrimination or persecution of the Afrikaners is "completely incorrect."
Nonetheless, the Trump administration continued its criticisms of the South African government. Earlier this week, Trump said during an economic speech in Miami that “South Africa should be expelled from the G20."
Earlier this year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio boycotted a G20 foreign ministers' meeting because the agenda focused on issues of diversity, equality, and climate efforts.
