Next year, the United States will take the reins of the Group of 20 major economies (G20) for the first time since 2009, according to a press release from the Department of State. The summit will coincide with America’s 250th anniversary and will be held in Miami, Florida, at a golf resort owned by President Donald Trump, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The US will host the 2026 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Miami, Florida, and says the event will demonstrate America’s focus on economic growth, innovation and “a return to core priorities.”
Trump has repeatedly accused South Africa’s government of persecuting its white minority and confiscating land, claims South Africa strongly denies. The US made it clear that South Africa won’t be invited to the G20 under President Trump’s presidency.
Rubio says America is ‘forging ahead’ with a new G20’
Rubio, on Wednesday, posted the State Department’s statement online while criticising South Africa’s handling of this year’s presidency. “The United States is forging ahead with a new G20. South Africa operated with spite, division, and radical agendas that failed to produce economic growth,” Rubio wrote. “America’s G20 will propel us forward with innovation, entrepreneurship and perseverance… We’re ready to lead the way in Miami.”
Rubio, who became Secretary of State in January 2025, says the US intends to build a G20 that reflects “America First” priorities while also welcoming partners that share similar economic and political values.
The United States is forging ahead with a new G20. South Africa operated with spite, division, and radical agendas that failed to produce economic growth. America's G20 will propel us forward with innovation, entrepreneurship and perseverance that makes America great and provides… pic.twitter.com/N3npfX4WvH
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) December 3, 2025
US sets three big priorities for its G20 year
The State Department said the US will push three major themes throughout its presidency.
- Limiting regulatory burdens to boost prosperity
- Securing affordable and reliable energy supply chains
- Promoting new technologies and innovation, especially AI
The first Sherpa and Finance Track meetings will begin on December 15–16 in Washington, followed by a year of working group meetings across the country.
The US will also invite new and emerging partners, including Poland, which Washington says has “earned its place” among the world’s top economies after decades of growth. “We will be inviting friends, neighbours, and partners to the American G20. We will welcome the world’s largest economies, as well as burgeoning partners and allies, to America’s table,” Rubio said in a press release.
US says ‘South Africa not invited’
In its detailed statement, the US drew a tough line on South Africa, accusing the ANC-led government of choosing political “grievance” over economic policy. “Sadly, Mandela’s successors have replaced reconciliation with redistributionist policies that discouraged investment and drove South Africa’s most talented citizens abroad. Racial quotas have crippled the private sector, while corruption bankrupts the state,” the statement said. “ As South Africa’s economy has stagnated under its burdensome regulatory regime driven by racial grievance, it falls firmly outside the group of the 20 largest industrialised economies.”
Washington said South Africa routinely blocked American inputs into joint communiqués, and therefore, the US would not invite the South African government to the 2026 summit. “There is a place for good faith disagreement, but not dishonesty or sabotage,” Rubio said. “President Trump and the United States will not be extending an invitation to the South African government to participate in the G20 during our presidency.” The US said South Africa can return when it’s ready for real reforms. Until then, America will move forward with “a new G20.”
