Cyril Ramaphosa has been disinvited from the upcoming G7 Summit in Evian, scheduled for June, 2026, following reported pressure from the United States, according to the South African Presidency.
The development was disclosed on March 26, 2026. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said France withdrew the invitation after the US allegedly threatened to boycott the Summit, if South Africa participated.
Tensions between Donald Trump and South Africa have intensified in recent months, spanning trade disputes and disagreements over domestic racial policies. Trump previously imposed 30 percent tariffs on most South African exports, although the policy was later overturned by the US Supreme Court.
The rift has also been fuelled by South Africa’s legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice over alleged genocide in Gaza, as well as Washington’s criticism of Pretoria’s transformation policies aimed at addressing apartheid-era inequalities.
Despite the diplomatic strain, Pretoria has downplayed the fallout, insisting its bilateral relations with France remain intact and reaffirming its commitment to constructive engagement with the United States, noting that longstanding ties between the two nations extend beyond the current US administration.