South Africa's government has decisively rejected the United States' attempt to send a junior diplomat to the G20 Leaders' Summit, emphasising the importance of high-level representation in such a prestigious event.

Many of South Africa's priorities, especially a focus on climate change and its impact on developing countries, have met resistance from the U.S., which is boycotting the talks.

John Steenhuisen has backed President Cyril Ramaphosa following the US decision to send a chargé d’affaires to the G20 presidency, calling it “poor form”

In opening remarks to the Johannesburg summit, Ramaphosa said: "There's been overwhelming consensus and agreement that one of the other tasks we should undertake right at the beginning is to [...] adopt our declaration.

Washington withdrew from the summit over allegations — widely dismissed by analysts — that South Africa’s Black-led government is

Amidst rising tensions, the United States has issued a stark warning to South Africa, advising against a joint leaders’ declaration at the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg. This diplomatic clash raises questions about consensus and the future of global cooperation.