A pedestrian walks past a billboard announcing the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the 13th (local time). EPA=Yonhap News

The United States, which boycotted the Group of 20 (G20) summit in South Africa, has demanded that a "leader's declaration" not be adopted. The host nation, South Africa, has made its refusal clear.

According to AFP news agency on the 19th (local time), the U.S. Embassy in South Africa stated in a diplomatic note sent to the South African government over the weekend that "South Africa's G20 priorities conflict with the U.S. policy stance" and that "we cannot support any agreement on any document negotiated under your country's presidency."

It added, "The United States opposes the adoption of any summit outcome document based on a consensus G20 position without U.S. consent," and "we will only accept a chairperson's statement reflecting the absence of U.S. consensus."

The G20 summit has typically released a "leader's declaration" containing agreements on various issues related to the global economy. The South African government plans to adopt the "Johannesburg Leader's Declaration" before the summit concludes on the 23rd, which will include commitments to reduce debt for developing countries and address global inequality.

When asked about this diplomatic note, Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Department of Foreign Affairs), responded, "South Africa will not succumb to coercion," and "Since the United States is not participating, it cannot play any role in the G20 outcome."

He pointed out, "Coercion through non-participation cannot be tolerated," and "This will lead to institutional paralysis and the nullification of multilateralism."

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the G20 Civil Society Summit. AFP=Yonhap News

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also stated in his speech at the G20 Civil Society Summit, a pre-summit event, on the 20th, "A country's geographical location, wealth, or military power should not determine who has a voice and who is ignored."

He emphasized, "No country should bully another country."

President Ramaphosa had previously stated, "We will not be bullied," in his State of the Nation address in February, when he faced criticism from U.S. high-ranking officials, including President Trump, over South Africa's land expropriation policies.

Ronald Lamola, South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, also spoke after President Ramaphosa's address, stating the intention to push for the adoption of the leader's declaration and saying, "No one can tell us not to adopt a declaration at the summit."

As the G20 chair, South Africa has prioritized climate change disaster resilience and response enhancement, sustainable debt management for low-income countries, financing for a just energy transition, and the utilization of critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The United States criticizes this year's G20 summit theme of "solidarity, equality, and sustainability" as anti-American. U.S. President Donald Trump declared a boycott of the summit after conflicts with South Africa over the G20 agenda. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa responded, "If the United States does not participate, they are the ones who will lose out."

Yonhap News