The absence of the United States from multiple international events, including the upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit, reflects its retreat from multilateral cooperation, according to a political economist in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). The summit is set to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city and economic hub, on November 22 and 23, and the U.S. has announced that it would send no government officials to the summit, citing its disagreements with some South Africa's domestic policies. The decision has drawn attention from the international community. Citing the remarks of President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africans agree that the U.S. absence from the summit is "their loss," and this act of boycott will not derail the summit's success as multilateral cooperation will not grind to a halt due to the withdrawal of a certain country. Shotlist: Johannesburg, South Africa - Recent: FILE: Durban, South Africa - July 18, 2025 1. Various of G20 2025 logo, flags, sign reading (English) "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability"; FILE: Durban, South Africa - July 14, 2025 2. Attendees at venue of G20 meetings; Johannesburg, South Africa - Recent 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Patrick Bond, director, Center for Social Change, University of Johannesburg (partially overlaid with shot 4): "South Africa knows very well that multilateralism is crucial. Donald Trump, in contrast, wrecked the climate summit that was meant to happen now in Brazil. But the U.S. has pulled out, pulling out also of the World Health Organization and causing massive chaos with tariffs and financial turbulence." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown 4. Various of White House [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; FILE: Pretoria, South Africa - August 2023 5. National flag of South Africa; FILE: Johannesburg, South Africa - Feb 2025 6. Aerial shot of cityscape; FILE: Johannesburg, South Africa - Jan 10, 2023 7. Traffic. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]