France has withdrawn its invitation to South Africa to attend the 2026 G7 Summit. Image: Supplied.
South Africa
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South Africa
South Africa will no longer attend the upcoming G7 Summit in France after reported pressure from the United States, with President Cyril Ramaphosa accepting the decision without objection.
France has withdrawn its invitation to South Africa to attend the 2026 G7 Summit, following reports that the United States threatened to boycott the gathering if SA participated.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted France’s decision, adding that there is no need for South Africa to seek further clarification on the matter.
Ramaphosa noted that South Africa’s absence from the summit should not come as a surprise, as the country is not a member of the G7 and has not been part of the forum.
The 52nd G7 Summit is scheduled to take place in Évian-les-Bains, France, from June 15 to 17, 2026.
Trump has clashed repeatedly with the South African government, hitting the country with high tariffs, berating Ramaphosa in the Oval Office over discredited claims of a "white genocide" and boycotting a G20 summit in Johannesburg last year November.
Trump slapped 30 percent tariffs last year on most South African exports which was the highest for sub-Saharan Africa. However, the US Supreme Court has since overruled Trump's tariffs policy.
