Tensions Rise as U.S. Officials Boycott G20 Meetings Over South Africa's Land Policies

Scott Bessent's absence adds to the controversy, following a similar boycott by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In an uncommon move, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has decided to skip the upcoming G20 finance ministers' and central bankers’ meeting in Cape Town, a choice that reflects escalating tensions between the United States and South Africa regarding land policies that the Trump administration has labeled anti-American. Just three weeks into his new role, Bessent's absence from such a critical gathering marks an unusual departure from the norm for a Treasury secretary.

This decision comes on the heels of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent boycott of a foreign ministers' meeting in Johannesburg, where he criticized the South African government, stating that he refused to "waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism." President Trump has expressed a lack of interest in multilateral engagements like the G20, preferring to pursue bilateral dialogues instead. South Africa's focus for this year's G20 discussions emphasizes "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability," themes that the Trump administration views as misaligned with its stance on climate change and diversity.

Bessent was anticipated to leverage this gathering to connect with international financial leaders from Europe, China, and Russia. However, rising geopolitical strains, particularly those involving Russia and Western nations over the Ukraine conflict, have rendered these gatherings increasingly complex. Recently, Trump has suggested that Ukraine may share culpability for the Russian invasion, further complicating diplomatic dynamics.

Bessent's decision to abstain has surprised South African officials, who were led to believe he would participate. Trump’s administration recently instituted a halt on all foreign aid to South Africa while prioritizing the relocation of white "Afrikaner refugees" to the U.S., responding to new laws signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa that alter apartheid-era land protocols. The Expropriation Act allows the South African government to acquire land in certain scenarios without compensation, stirring significant controversy and dissatisfaction within the Trump administration.