US Hosts G20 Sherpa Meeting, Sets Agenda For 2026 Miami Summit

Last Updated:December 18, 2025, 22:37 IST

The US began its G20 2026 Presidency with a Sherpa meeting in Washington, outlining priorities under Trump; South Africa was not invited.

The United States formally assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1. (File)

The United States convened its first G20 Sherpa meeting on December 15–16 in Washington, marking the beginning of its G20 2026 Presidency.

In a press release, the US State Department said that the meeting was attended by representatives from G20 members, including India, China, the European Union, Brazil, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the African Union. Poland participated as the only full guest country during the US host year. However, South Africa, this year’s host country, was not invited to the meeting.

Washington formally assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1, a milestone that coincides with US’ 250th anniversary. The US said that under President Donald Trump’s leadership, it is committed to refocusing the G20 on its core economic agenda and delivering tangible economic outcomes for member nations.

What Happened In Meeting?

In the press release, Washington said that it outlined its key thematic priorities for its G20 host year. These include boosting economic prosperity by reducing regulatory burdens, ensuring access to reliable and affordable energy, and advancing innovation through new technologies.

To advance these priorities, the US said that it has launched four working groups which have been tasked with developing concrete deliverables. These include groups focused on economic growth, energy security, technological innovation, and an additional working group aimed at identifying areas of consensus on trade-related issues.

Trump is scheduled to host the G20 Leaders’ Summit on December 14–15, 2026, at Trump National Doral Miami.

US Absence From South Africa Summit

The US, on December 1, assumed the presidency of the G20 amid a bitter feud with South Africa and has said it will not invite Africa’s biggest economy to participate in next year’s G20 events. The US didn’t attend the G20 leaders’ meeting hosted by South Africa on 22-23 November. The boycott followed repeated claims by Trump, widely discredited internationally, that South Africa’s Black-majority government mistreats white citizens.

Trump had also asserted that South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 G20 Miami, accusing South Africa of refusing to pass the presidency to a senior US embassy representative at the summit’s closing ceremony. South Africa denied this, and insisted that the presidency had been formally transferred to an American diplomat in accordance with protocol.

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