Marco Rubio has announced he will not attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg, citing concerns over South Africa’s focus on DEI and climate initiatives. He criticizes the country’s expropriation laws, which allow for the seizure of land without compensation. The decision reflects heightened tensions between the U.S. and South Africa surrounding these policies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced that he will not be participating in the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg due to concerns over South Africa’s emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and climate change policies. He described these focuses as “very bad things” and criticized South Africa for expropriating private property while utilizing the G20 to promote these agendas. This decision is notable as attendance at the G20 is typically expected for U.S. secretaries of state.
The G20 summit is a vital event for international diplomacy, gathering leaders from the world’s wealthiest nations. Strained relations between the U.S. and South Africa have arisen from policies like South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which permits the government to seize land without compensation. Critics, including former President Trump, have raised alarms about the impact of these laws on property owners, particularly white South Africans, who historically possess a significant portion of farmland due to apartheid-era policies.
Rubio’s withdrawal from the G20 summit highlights increasing tensions surrounding South Africa’s land policies and its approach to international cooperation. The situation underscores ongoing debates about racial equity and property rights, as well as the implications of foreign relations impacted by such domestic policies. As scrutiny of these issues continues, it remains to be seen how this development will influence U.S.-South Africa relations moving forward.
Original Source: www.thedailybeast.com
