U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that he would not attend the G 20 talks in South Africa this month. He accused the host country of having an “anti-American” agenda.

Trump’s Criticism Sparks Rubio’s Boycott

This decision comes after President Donald Trump criticized South Africa’s land reforms, which aim to address inequalities from the apartheid era. Trump strongly opposed these reforms, and Rubio, following Trump’s stance, explained his choice to boycott the talks in Johannesburg on February 20-21.

Rubio’s Comment

In a post on X, Rubio stated, “South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote ‘solidarity, equality, & sustainability.’” He continued, “In other words: DEI and climate change.” Rubio also criticized DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), a concept that Trump has consistently attacked since returning to the White House. https://twitter.com/SecRubio/status/1887288685517021298

Rubio Defends U.S. Interests

Rubio added, “My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism.” His words reflect his commitment to putting U.S. priorities first.

Ramaphosa Rejects Trump’s Claims

Earlier this week, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa rejected Trump’s claims that South Africa was “confiscating” land. Ramaphosa stated he was ready to explain his government’s land reform policy directly to Trump.

Musk Talks with Ramaphosa

On Tuesday, Ramaphosa also spoke with Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, to raise concerns about the “disinformation” being spread by the U.S. president. This highlights the growing tension between the two countries.

Land Ownership in South Africa

Land ownership remains a contentious issue in South Africa, with most farmland still owned by white people, even three decades after apartheid ended. The government is under significant pressure to implement land reforms to address this imbalance.

Impact on the G20

The U.S., being the world’s largest economy, would have a significant impact on the G20 talks. Its absence would mark a major blow to the event, which aims to unite the world’s largest economies. Additionally, the meeting could have been a chance for Rubio to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as Trump pushes for diplomacy regarding the Ukraine war.