US Pressure Forces France to Withdraw G7 Invitation to South Africa’s Ramaphosa

Cyril Ramaphosa was reportedly disinvited from the G7 summit in Evian after pressure from the United States, which allegedly threatened a boycott. The move reflects ongoing tensions between South Africa and the US over trade, race policies, and foreign relations.

Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly been disinvited from the upcoming G7 summit in Evian, following pressure from the United States, according to the South African Presidency.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the decision by France to withdraw the invitation came after sustained pressure from Donald Trump. He added that the US had threatened to boycott the summit if South Africa was allowed to attend.
Relations between South Africa and the United States have been strained for months, with disagreements spanning trade, race relations, and foreign policy. Trump has repeatedly criticized South Africa’s domestic policies and international stance, including its legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice over the war in Gaza.
Tensions escalated further after the US imposed steep tariffs—reportedly up to 30 percent—on South African exports last year, though those measures were later overturned by the US Supreme Court. Trump has also been vocal in opposing South Africa’s racial justice policies, describing them as discriminatory, despite their roots in addressing inequalities from apartheid and colonial rule.
The dispute has also affected multilateral engagements. Trump previously boycotted a G20 summit held in Johannesburg and has maintained a hardline stance toward Pretoria’s leadership.
According to South African officials, Emmanuel Macron had personally invited Ramaphosa to participate in the G7 summit during earlier diplomatic engagements. The Group of Seven, which comprises leading industrialized nations, often includes additional countries in its discussions.
Despite the diplomatic setback, South Africa emphasized that its relationship with France remains strong and unaffected. Officials also reiterated their commitment to maintaining constructive engagement with the United States, noting that long-standing ties between the two countries extend beyond the current US administration.