US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he will not attend the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg, citing concerns about South Africa's policies, particularly regarding land ownership and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Rubio's decision follows President Trump's threats to cut foreign aid to South Africa over similar allegations.
"My job is to advance America's national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says.The meeting could have offered a first opportunity for Rubio to meet his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as Trump pushes for diplomacy on the Ukraine war. / Photo: AFP
Rubio's statement came on Wednesday, days after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut foreign aid to South Africa over allegations of land confiscation and the mistreatment of"certain classes of people." "My job is to advance America's national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism," he added, explaining his decision to skip the event.
On Tuesday, Ramaphosa spoke with top Trump ally Elon Musk to raise concerns about"disinformation" being spread by the US president.
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