US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced he will not attend the upcoming G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, accusing South Africa of “anti-Americanism”.
His decision follows criticism from US President Donald Trump regarding South Africa’s land reform policies.
“South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote ‘solidarity, equality, & sustainability.’ In other words: DEI and climate change,” said Rubio on a post on social media platform, X.
I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote “solidarity, equality, & sustainability.” In other words: DEI and climate change.
My job is to advance America’s national interests, not…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 5, 2025
Rubio’s remarks refer to South Africa’s ongoing land reform efforts, which have recently come under scrutiny from the US government. President Trump recently expressed similar concerns, warning that financial aid to South Africa could be reconsidered.
READ MORE: Trump takes aim at SA: Political parties slam ‘misinformation’ about land expropriation
Despite Rubio’s criticism, the South African government remains open to engagement with the US. Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, stated that Minister Ronald Lamola has noted Rubio’s comments but reiterated that South Africa’s policies are grounded in constitutional and legal principles.
“There is no arbitrary dispossession of land or private property. These laws are similar to the eminent domain laws of the United States… Our G20 Presidency is not confined to just climate change but also equitable treatment for nations of the Global South, ensuring that we have an equal global system for all.”
Phiri reaffirmed the department’s commitment to diplomatic engagement with the US.
The G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is set to take place in Johannesburg on 20 and 21 February, with South Africa holding the presidency for 2025.
On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa rejected Trump’s claims that land was being confiscated in South Africa, and committed to further engagements with the US government in this regard. The following day, Ramaphosa spoke with US government adviser, Elon Musk, to address concerns of “disinformation” spread by Trump.
Yesterday, 3 February 2025, President @CyrilRamaphosa spoke to @ElonMusk on issues of misinformation and distortions about South Africa.
In the process, the President reiterated South Africa’s constitutionally embedded values of the respect for the rule of law, justice,… pic.twitter.com/P5CX9ggTYH
— The Presidency
(@PresidencyZA) February 4, 2025
