US Unveils 'New G20' for 2026, Excludes South Africa While Welcoming Poland

Washington D.C. – The United States, under the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, announced plans for a "New G20" ahead of its 2026 Leaders' Summit in Miami, Florida. The initiative explicitly excludes South Africa from participation, citing its "spite, division, and radical agendas" during its 2025 presidency, while welcoming Poland as a new member. The announcement, made on December 4, 2025, signals a significant shift in the global economic forum's composition and agenda.

Secretary Rubio, in a blog post titled 'America Welcomes a New G20' and echoed in a social media statement, sharply criticized South Africa's recent tenure. "South Africa operated with spite, division, and radical agendas that failed to produce economic growth," he stated, adding that its policies, including "redistributionist policies that discouraged investment" and "racial quotas," had crippled its economy. The US had previously skipped the 2025 G20 Leaders' Summit held in Johannesburg.

In contrast, Poland has been invited to join the revamped forum, lauded by Rubio as a "success story of post-Cold War resilience." He emphasized that "Poland's success is proof that a focus on the future is a better path than one on grievances," highlighting its partnership with the US and American companies in promoting mutual prosperity. The US aims to showcase similar values at its upcoming summit.

The 2026 G20 Leaders' Summit, set to coincide with America's 250th anniversary, will be held in Miami and is envisioned by the Trump Administration as a platform for a new Western economic model. Priorities for the US-hosted summit include eliminating regulatory burdens, ensuring reliable and affordable energy, and accelerating technological innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence. Rubio indicated a departure from "ideological preoccupations around green energy."

The United States will host the G20 for the first time since 2009, with Secretary Rubio asserting, "America's G20 will propel us forward with innovation, entrepreneurship and perseverance that makes America great and provides a roadmap of prosperity to the world. We're ready to lead the way in Miami." He also noted that while the US supports the South African people, it cannot endorse the current government's policies and will offer a seat at the table once reforms are undertaken.