President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the United States has changed its mind about participating in the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.

Speaking at a SA-EU meeting in Sandton on Thursday, Ramaphosa said: “We have received notice from the US about a change of mind about participating in one shape, form or another.

“This comes at a late-hour of the summit. In a way, we see this a positive sign because I have always said that boycott politics never work. It’s pleasing to hear that there is a change of approach. We are still discussing.”

Ramaphosa said that the US has the right to participate in the G20.

He also said there will still be a discussion with the country on how their late participation in the summit will work.

This comes after US President Donald Trump said that his country would not participate in the G20 because of the “bad things” happening in South Africa.