The Group of 20 has sufficient “shock absorbers” to function effectively if the incoming Donald Trump administration promotes an America First policy at the expense of international co-operation, South Africa’s leader said on Tuesday as his country took over the bloc’s presidency.
South Africa assumed the rotational leadership of the group of the world’s leading economies on Sunday from Brazil and will hand it over to the United States at the end of 2025.
Those three countries will work together over the next 12 months as per the G20 protocol.
US President-elect Mr Trump has shown his disdain for international co-operation on climate issues.
Mr Ramaphosa was asked if the G20 is prepared for a likely Trump America First approach in his second administration, which starts on January 20.
He said: “We will seek to get sufficient consensus on decisions that need to be taken by the G20.
“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.”
Mr Trump has indicated that his foreign policy will be combative.
He has pledged to impose new tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, while at the weekend he also threatened 100% tariffs against nations in the Brics bloc of developing nations, which include Brazil, Russia, China, India, South Africa and others.
Brics countries have said they want to be less dependent on the dollar, but the group has taken little concrete action and analysts say it is unfeasible given the dollar’s dominance.
Mr Ramaphosa said on Tuesday that he has contacted Mr Trump to congratulate him on his election victory and to tempt the golf lover to make a state visit to South Africa to see its “beautiful golf courses”.
He also said he hopes Mr Trump will travel to South Africa for the G20 summit in late 2025.
“If he has time, and he is very busy … President Trump and possibly myself can go and play golf and talk about global matters,” Mr Ramaphosa said.
