Keir Starmer Attends G20 Summit Amid Trump Absence
21st Nov. 2025
On November 21, 2025, Prime Minister Starmer arrived in Johannesburg for the G20 summit. He is attending the summit with the aim to reinforce the United Kingdom’s global economic ties. His diplomatic has raised some eyebrows amid the absence of US President Donald Trump. This annual meeting of the G20 will bring the world’s 20 largest economies together under one roof. However, Donald Trump won’t be there after making claims that white people in South Africa face persecution.
During this trip, Starmer intends to highlight how active engagement abroad can generate direct economic benefits at home. Critics often call him “never here Keir” due to his frequent overseas travel. However, he has argued that these visits are essential for boosting trade and investment. Speaking to the reporters, Keir stressed that face-to-face diplomacy remains important for negotiating deals that supports jobs and eases living costs in Britain. Moreover, he noted that collaboration with G20 allies plays a central role in driving long-term economic growth.
UK’s new Rail Partnership with South Africa, ahead of G20 Summit
Apart from attending the G20, Starmer will also tour a Johannesburg rail depot to see trains that were manufactured in Derby. Afterwards, he will announce a new agreement under which the UK will provide “strategic advice and consultancy services” to South Africa’s rail network. The UK government-owned Crossrail International will work on the project, it has also signed a similar deal with Vietnam a few months ago.
Downing Street officials argue that Africa offers unparalleled opportunities for British businesses. Notably, with half of the continent’s population under 20 and a rapidly growing market which is expected to represent more than a quarter of the world’s population by 2050.
Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to skip the summit has attracted scrutiny. He labelled the event a “total disgrace” and repeated his claims about the alleged persecution of white Afrikaners. Despite this, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed the boycott as a strategic misstep, saying “boycott politics doesn’t work, it’s their loss”. Additionally, no South African political party has supported claims of a genocide. The government maintains that such allegations are unfounded and unsupported by credible evidence.
When is the G20 summit in 2025 scheduled to begin?
The G20 summit is scheduled to begin on 22nd November 2025 in Johannesburg, which brings major global economies together for high-level talks.
Web Resources on Keir Starmer Attends G20 Summit
1. BBC.com: Starmer defends G20 trip to South Africa despite Trump’s absence
2. Guardian.com: Keir Starmer defends trip to South Africa for G20 summit as budget looms
3. AcademicBlock.com: G20 – Empowering Collaboration for a Global Economy