US Secretary of State declines to attend G20 Summit in South Africa
Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend the Group of Twenty (G20) summit in Johannesburg on February 20-21. The reason for his refusal is the policy of South Africa, which currently holds the presidency of the organization.
“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,” Rubio wrote.
He also noted that his job is to advance America's national interests, not to spend taxpayer money or foster anti-Americanism.
In 2025, the G20 will be chaired by the Republic of South Africa (RSA). The country's authorities have chosen the slogan Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.
A summit of G20 leaders is scheduled for November in Johannesburg, after which the United States will take over the presidency.
Termination of US financial assistance to foreign countries
Immediately after his inauguration as president, Donald Trump suspended all foreign financial assistance programs for 90 days. In particular, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was suspended.
On February 2, Trump suspended the financial assistance program for South Africa. He cited the alleged massive human rights violations in the country as the reason.
In early February, Trump appointed Rubio as acting administrator of USAID.
A few days later, the Agency furloughed thousands of contractors, including diplomats abroad.
