The G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Johannesburg begins without U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent amid diplomatic tensions with South Africa. Key diplomats, including Russian and Chinese ministers, will participate. Rubio’s absence follows a U.S. executive order cutting aid to South Africa, provoking a broader discussion about U.S. involvement in the G20.
The G20 meeting of foreign ministers commences in Johannesburg, South Africa, with absent U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio due to rising tensions between the U.S. and South Africa. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are among the diplomats attending. The U.S. will be represented by acting ambassador Dana Brown, as the United Nations, the African Union, and the European Union are also participating in the event.
Rubio’s absence follows a U.S. executive order halting foreign aid to South Africa, attributed to a law perceived as discriminatory towards the white minority. Additionally, the U.S. expresses discontent with South Africa’s stance against Israel at the International Court of Justice. South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola downplayed Rubio’s absence as not a total snub of the G20 gathering.
Moreover, U.S. Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent will also miss a forthcoming G20 finance ministers meeting, citing commitments in Washington. A senior Treasury representative will fill in for him. Analysts interpret these absences as signs of the U.S. distancing from the G20, indicating strained international relations under the current administration.
Political analyst Daniel Bradlow suggests that the treasury secretary’s attendance is critical to understanding U.S. diplomatic intentions, and absence would signify worrying trends. The theme set for the G20 meeting, “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”, aligns with South Africa’s inclusion framework, opposed by the Trump administration.
This year, South Africa will lead over 130 working group meetings and 23 ministerial-level meetings as part of its presidency in the G20, which commenced in December. The U.S. is slated to assume G20 presidency in 2026, following South Africa’s term.
The G20 meeting in South Africa opens with notable U.S. officials absent, reflecting ongoing diplomatic tensions. With both Rubio and Bessent’s non-attendance, analysts view this as a potential indication of a shift in U.S. engagement with the G20. South Africa asserts its commitment to hosting and engaging despite these absences, with a focus on themes of equality and sustainability as its leadership foundation.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
