Despite a U.S. boycott, the declaration was adopted, underscoring a shift toward G20 unity around development, climate, and reform, in the spirit of multipolarity. The leaders in attendance adopted a 122-point declaration which focused on advancing global equity, multilateral reform, and sustainable development.

Now the US President, Donald Trump, in a social media post, said South Africa had refused to hand over its G20 hosting responsibilities to a senior representative of the US Embassy when the summit ended over the weekend. He further said that he is barring South Africa from participating in the Group of 20 summit next year in Miami and will "stop all payments and subsidies" to the country over its treatment of a US government representative at this year's global meeting.

Importantly, Trump chose not to have an American delegation attend this year's G20 summit hosted by South Africa, saying he did so because white Afrikaners were being violently persecuted but South Africa strongly rejected these claims stating as baseless. South Africa succesfully organised the summit in Johannesburg without the participation of US President. The meeting's declaration was signed by all the present member nations exept Argentina, the declaration giving more attention to issues that affect developing countries. Washington expressed its opposition to South Africa's agenda, especially the parts that focus on climate change.