Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan join G20 guest circle
U.S. President Donald Trump has invited Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to attend the G20 summit in Miami in December 2026, along with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Political analyst Rafael Sattarov explained the reasons behind the decision.
China factor
According to the expert, competition with China is a key driver of Washington’s move. The U.S. does not want Central Asia to become overly dependent on Beijing, particularly in areas such as rare earth metals, uranium, lithium and other critical resources used in batteries, defense industries and advanced technologies.
«This is why Washington is rebuilding relations with countries in the region. The response from Central Asian states has also been positive, as they are actively strengthening these ties,» Sattarov said.
Replacing South Africa
Trump recently excluded South Africa from participation in the 2026 summit following disagreements with the country’s authorities. As a result, other nations, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, have been invited to fill the vacant spots.
«Trump sharply criticized South Africa, despite the country being a G20 member, and boycotted the summit held there, accusing its leadership of fostering anti-American sentiment and what he described as ‘white genocide,’» the expert noted.
However, Sattarov emphasized that guest participation in the G20 does not bring significant economic benefits and does not lead to permanent membership.
The Group of Twenty (G20) evolved from the Group of Seven (G7) as a broader forum for global economic governance. Today, the 19 member countries and two organizations — the European Union and the African Union — account for about 85% of global GDP and roughly three-quarters of global trade.
US boycott
The G20 meeting held in South Africa in February 2025 was boycotted by the U.S. President. Trump also ordered a suspension of U.S. aid to South Africa, citing land confiscation policies affecting white farmers, Pretoria’s efforts to pursue legal action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the International Criminal Court and the country’s expanding cooperation with Iran.
