G20’s Erosion: U.S. Absence Signals End of Global Governance Forum
As the 2026 G20 summit approaches, the absence of the United States signals a deeper erosion of multilateral cooperation. Donald Trump’s decision to boycot the summit, based on his accusations against South Africa, including genocide and communist dictatorship, underscores the U.S.’s shift toward unilateralism. This stance has led to the U.S. potentially hosting the summit, leaving Johannesburg with an empty seat in the leadership.
China and Russia, the other two major powers, are also not attending, though they are sending delegations. This absence highlights the fragmentation of the global system, with the West withdrawing into its own bloc and non-Western nations exploring alternatives such as the BRICS grouping. The article emphasizes that the G20, created to manage the interconnected global economy, now lacks the necessary support and cooperation from the key players.
Trump’s upcoming summit in Florida is expected to prioritize American interests and reflect a more transactional approach to global governance. The analysis suggests that the G20, which was built on a foundation of cooperation and global consensus, is becoming obsolete as the geopolitical landscape shifts. The world is moving toward a new configuration, and the G20’s role in steering the global system is no longer credible.
The end of the G20 as a meaningful instrument of global governance marks a significant shift in international relations, with Trump’s summit likely to highlight the U.S.’s growing isolation and the absence of a unified global response to emerging challenges.