Argentina’s president abandons Johannesburg G20 in Trump‑Backed Boycott

Argentinian President Javier Milei has confirmed that he will not attend the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, sending his foreign minister to represent the country instead. His decision follows the full boycott of the summit by US President Donald Trump, who cited human rights concerns and criticised South Africa’s handling of land and farm issues.

Milei’s move aligns Argentina with Washington’s stance and underscores a growing pattern of populist leaders prioritising bilateral agendas over multilateral engagement. South Africa, hosting the summit for the first time on the African continent, had framed the event as an opportunity to advance dialogue on solidarity, equality, and sustainability, aiming to position Africa as a key player on the global stage.

The absence of Milei and Trump diminishes the summit’s global representation and raises questions about its effectiveness in addressing pressing economic and political challenges. While fewer attendees may streamline negotiations, the symbolic impact of major leaders skipping the event is seen as a diplomatic blow for the host nation.

Observers note that Milei’s decision, made without a public statement, reflects both domestic political calculations and international alignments. Diplomatic analysts suggest that following Washington’s lead could marginalise Argentina within G20 deliberations while signalling ideological solidarity with US policy perspectives.

South African officials have expressed disappointment but stress that the summit will continue with remaining members and focus on delivering outcomes that promote African and global interests. The boycott highlights the challenges of global summits in a world where national agendas, political alliances, and ideological divisions can outweigh commitments to multilateralism.