G20 declaration in defiance of US marks rare victory for multilateralism

Leaders and delegates pose for a family photo on the first day of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, November 22, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool

JOHANNESBURG/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Born of crisis but torn by years of tensions among its members, the Group of 20 major economies scored a rare victory this weekend for multilateralism after overcoming the boycott and objections of its most powerful member, the United States.

South Africa, this year's G20 president, rallied all but two member nations - the U.S. and Argentina - to issue a declaration, ignoring Washington's warnings and quelling questions about the G20's future - at least for now.