As top finance ministers from around the world gather at a beachside resort in South Africa for the G20 summit, the host nation is struggling to keep its agenda on track amid global tensions. This year’s meeting is being overshadowed by a growing trade war led by US President Donald Trump and the absence of top American officials.
South Africa, which is hosting the 2025 G20 summit, had set its focus on key issues like debt relief for poorer nations, sustainable finance, and reforms to global development institutions. However, these goals are being disrupted by rising global economic disagreements and the lack of cooperation from major players — especially the United States, the world’s biggest economy.
The US has not sent any of its senior officials to this year’s events in South Africa, despite being set to take over the G20 presidency at the end of November. This move has sparked concern among several participants, as it further complicates already tense negotiations.
South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana admitted that the talks have not been easy. “My hope is that we must have an agreement and emerge with a communique tomorrow,” he said. “It has been a difficult period.”
Godongwana is hoping to secure a joint communique from the meeting — something the country failed to do in its two previous G20 finance meetings, where only chairman’s summaries were released. A communique, which reflects joint agreement among member countries, would be seen as a major diplomatic achievement in such a challenging environment.
A European official speaking separately said there was hope that the final wording of the communique had been settled, and that agreement could be reached by Friday. If successful, it would send a strong message that the G20 nations still stand united on major global economic issues — even amid disagreements.
“The communique would be a strong signal that multilateralism is still alive,” said Haoliang Xu, acting administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The pressure comes largely from Washington’s recent decisions. President Trump’s trade policies — including the imposition of global tariffs — have disrupted global trade and caused serious friction among world economies. The US has also pulled back billions of dollars in international funding, including for climate finance and development aid.
These actions are seen by many as a challenge to the spirit of multilateral cooperation that the G20 represents. South Africa, under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” had hoped to bring nations together on shared solutions. Instead, it is finding it difficult to unite participants as global divisions grow.
Even though some officials are hopeful that compromise can still be reached, the lack of US leadership at the table is proving to be a major obstacle. The US has long played a dominant role in global financial and development institutions. Its absence in key talks creates uncertainty over how committed it is to international cooperation.
As the world faces challenges like debt distress in developing countries, climate change, and the need for more sustainable development finance, the G20’s ability to work together is being put to the test.
If Minister Godongwana manages to secure a communique, it will be a sign that, despite political tensions, the world’s leading economies can still find common ground — even without full US participation.
