In brief
In a surprising move, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will skip the G20 finance ministers' meeting in South Africa, reflecting deepening tensions over land policies.
Scott Bessent, the recently confirmed U.S. Treasury Secretary, is set to skip the upcoming G20 finance ministers and central bankers meeting in Cape Town, amid rising diplomatic tensions with South Africa regarding its land policies. This decision is quite rare, especially so soon after his confirmation just three weeks ago. It follows a similar boycott by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who cited anti-American sentiments as his reason for skipping a prior meeting in Johannesburg. President Trump seems to prefer bilateral talks over multilateral gatherings like the Group of 20. The theme for this year's meetings, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” contradicts Trump's administration's stance, especially on issues like climate change and diversity. Bessent’s absence will be a disappointment for South Africa, which anticipated his attendance. Moreover, the U.S. recently halted foreign assistance to South Africa due to a law signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which has sparked controversy by allowing the government to acquire land without compensation in certain cases. The rift highlights evolving diplomatic relations and ignites debates about policies affecting land ownership and racial equity.
