President Donald Trump has taken a hardline stance against South Africa, announcing the country won't be invited to the 2026 G20 Summit in Miami and immediately freezing all U.S. payments and subsidies. It's a dramatic escalation in what's become an increasingly tense relationship between the two nations.

Why the U.S. Skipped South Africa's G20

The United States didn't participate in the recent G20 summit held in South Africa, with Trump explaining that the South African government doesn't adequately recognize human rights abuses against Afrikaners and descendants of Dutch, French, and German settlers. Trump has previously suggested South Africa "shouldn't even be in the G's anymore," questioning the country's place in the group of major economies altogether.

The Land Reform Controversy

Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday with stark accusations, claiming South Africa is "killing white people, and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them." He also criticized media coverage, alleging they've failed to report on what he termed "genocide."

The president initially froze financial aid to South Africa back in February over the country's land reform law, which does permit property seizures without compensation under certain conditions. In May, Trump went further, confronting President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office with a video that allegedly showed white farmers facing persecution.

South Africa Pushes Back

President Cyril Ramaphosa isn't backing down. In an official statement released Thursday, he called Trump's remarks "regrettable" and emphasized that South Africa holds its G20 membership "in its own name and right." Ramaphosa accused Trump of being "vindictive" and said the president's views are based on "misinformation and distortions."

The diplomatic fallout raises questions about how this will affect not just bilateral relations, but South Africa's role in international forums going forward.