South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence that the Group of 20 (G20) would continue to function effectively despite concerns about a potential “America First” policy under Donald Trump’s incoming administration.

Taking over the G20 presidency from Brazil on Sunday, South Africa became the first African nation to lead the bloc. The rotational presidency will pass to the United States at the end of 2025. As part of the G20 protocol, South Africa, Brazil, and the U.S. will collaborate over the next year.

Speaking on Tuesday, Ramaphosa highlighted his intent to focus on climate change’s impact on developing countries, emphasizing its importance during South Africa’s presidency. This comes as Trump has previously shown little enthusiasm for international cooperation on climate issues.

“We will seek to get sufficient consensus on decisions that need to be taken by the G20,” Ramaphosa said when questioned about the bloc’s ability to handle a possible shift in U.S. foreign policy.

“I think there will be sufficient shock absorbers that will be put in place that will enable the G20 to continue to function. … We are advancing the interests of the people of the world.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa

Trump has hinted at a combative foreign policy approach in his second term, including imposing new tariffs on countries such as China, Mexico, and Canada. Over the weekend, he threatened “100% tariffs” against members of the BRICS bloc — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Writing on the social media platform X, Trump warned BRICS countries to expect to “wave goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy” if they move away from the U.S. dollar for international trade.

While the BRICS bloc has expressed interest in reducing reliance on the dollar, analysts believe the shift remains largely impractical due to the currency’s global dominance.

Ramaphosa Extends Olive Branch To Trump

Ramaphosa revealed that he had reached out to congratulate Trump on his election victory and extended an invitation to visit South Africa. The president also sought to appeal to Trump’s love of golf, suggesting the two leaders could discuss global matters over a round.

“If he has time, and he is very busy … President Trump and possibly myself can go and play golf and talk about global matters,” Ramaphosa said, adding that he hoped Trump would attend the G20 summit in South Africa in late 2025.

The South African leader’s invitation reflects his pragmatic approach to diplomacy, recognizing Trump’s outsized influence on the global stage.

Under South Africa’s presidency, Ramaphosa pledged to bring developing nations’ climate challenges to the forefront of the G20 agenda. The issue has long been a point of contention, with wealthy nations often accused of not doing enough to support vulnerable countries in adapting to the effects of climate change.

“We are advancing the interests of the people of the world,” Ramaphosa reiterated, underscoring his intent to foster unity within the bloc despite geopolitical tensions.

As South Africa assumes this critical leadership role, the stakes are high for the G20’s ability to navigate a shifting global order. The interplay between Trump’s policies and the bloc’s objectives will undoubtedly shape its trajectory in the coming years.