US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday, 12th February, that he will not attend the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa.
He cited concerns over the country’s policies, including land reforms and its “anti-American stance.”
In a post on his X account, Rubio stated, “South Africa is doing very bad things.”
He added: “I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
“South Africa is doing very bad things—expropriating private property and using the G20 to promote ‘solidarity, equality, & sustainability.’ In other words: DEI and climate change.
“My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism.”
South Africa is set to host the G20 summit in Johannesburg on 20th–21st February. The G20 summit is the premier forum for international economic cooperation.
DAILY POST reports that Rubio’s decision comes just days after US President Donald Trump condemned South Africa’s land policies.
Trump had stated that he would cut all US funding to South Africa, calling its land reform efforts a “human rights violation.”
Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has already rejected Trump’s remarks, emphasising that his country had not “confiscated land.”
In a statement issued by the South African Presidency, the government also dismissed claims that the Expropriation Act was aimed at seizing land in the country.
