The White House has accused South Africa of using its G20 presidency to undermine the group’s core principles, following the adoption of a climate-change declaration despite U.S. opposition.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa insisted on pushing through the climate-crisis declaration “despite the U.S.’s continued and strong objections.”
In response, a spokesman for the South African presidency stated that the final communiqué “is not open for renegotiation”, noting that it had received “overwhelming consensus” from G20 member states.
The escalation comes after G20 leaders endorsed their final declaration, which was drafted without U.S. participation due to Washington’s boycott over climate and renewable-energy provisions.
