Germany has backed South Africa’s participation in the upcoming G20 summit in Miami, despite US President Donald Trump’s decision not to invite Pretoria.

According to BusinessTech, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Trump to reconsider the exclusion during the Berlin Global Dialogue on Wednesday.

Merz said South Africa should be represented because both the country and the African Union are members of the G20.

Germany Calls for South Africa’s Inclusion

In his official speech, published by the German Federal Government, Merz said Africa “belongs at the table” when global economic issues are discussed.

He added that South Africa is a G20 member and said he was urging that the country be represented at the December summit in Miami.

The German government also describes the G20 as one of the world’s key forums for economic cooperation.

South Africa Rejects US Claims

Trump previously said South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 summit.

According to BusinessTech, the US president linked the decision to claims about the treatment of white South Africans.

The Presidency has rejected those claims, saying South Africa’s exclusion was based on “misinformation and distortions” about the country. It also stressed that South Africa is a G20 member in its own right.

Cabinet separately described the US intention to exclude South Africa from 2026 G20 meetings as regrettable and said Pretoria remained committed to the forum.

Germany Pushes for Full G20 Participation

Merz has previously said he would try to persuade Trump to invite all G20 members to the US summit.

In an official German government briefing, he said the G20 remained one of the world’s most important multilateral forums and should not be reduced unnecessarily.

Germany itself attended South Africa’s G20 summit in Johannesburg in November 2025, with Merz travelling to the country at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s invitation.

Merz’s latest remarks add Germany’s voice to calls for South Africa to remain represented when G20 leaders meet in Miami.