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• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he will not attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg, citing South Africa’s land reform policies and the promotion of “solidarity, equality, and sustainability” themes.
• Rubio’s decision raises doubts about President Donald Trump’s attendance at the G20 summit in November and the US’s participation in G20 meetings.
• The move is seen as a significant challenge for South Africa’s G20 presidency and global economic cooperation.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

Marco Rubio’s announcement not to attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg comes amid strong criticism of South Africa’s land reform policies and the country’s G20 themes. Rubio described South Africa as “doing very bad things,” specifically mentioning the expropriation of private property and the promotion of “solidarity, equality, and sustainability,” which he equated with “DEI and climate change.”

Core Players

• Marco Rubio – US Secretary of State
• Donald Trump – President of the United States
• Cyril Ramaphosa – President of South Africa
• Elon Musk – US entrepreneur and ally of Donald Trump

Key Numbers

• 72% – Percentage of South Africa’s private farmland owned by white people, who make up 9% of the population.
• 14 million hectares – Land transferred to Black farmers since the end of apartheid.
• $440 million – US assistance to South Africa in 2023, with $315 million for HIV/AIDS programs.
• 2030 – Target year for completing South Africa’s land transfers.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

Marco Rubio’s decision to boycott the G20 summit was triggered by his strong objections to South Africa’s land reform policies. He cited the expropriation of private property and the G20 themes of “solidarity, equality, and sustainability” as reasons for his absence.

“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 stated.

Inside Forces

The land reform policies in South Africa aim to address the historical disparities in land ownership, where 72% of private farmland is owned by white people, who constitute only 9% of the population. The policies include restitution, land tenure reform, and land redistribution, with a focus on expropriation without compensation in some cases.

However, these policies have been contentious, with critics arguing they resemble “Zimbabwe-style land grabs” and target white landowners. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied these claims, stating the policies are constitutionally mandated and aimed at equitable land distribution.

Power Dynamics

The Trump administration’s stance against South Africa’s land reforms reflects broader ideological and political tensions. Rubio’s announcement aligns with Trump’s previous criticisms of South Africa, including threats to cut off funding to the country until a full investigation into the land reforms is completed.

Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, has also criticized the land reform policies, calling them “openly racist ownership laws.”

Outside Impact

Rubio’s decision and the broader US stance on South Africa’s land reforms have significant implications for global economic cooperation. The G20, designed to bring together systemically important economies, faces challenges in achieving consensus and coordination without the full participation of the US.

Elizabeth Sidiropoulos of the South African Institute of International Affairs noted that the US’s absence could erode the G20’s ability to address global financial issues, despite other member countries likely standing in support of South Africa.

Future Forces

The future of US-South Africa relations and the G20’s effectiveness hinges on how these tensions are resolved. Potential diplomacy between President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Trump administration could mitigate the current standoff, though the outcome remains uncertain.

Key areas to watch include whether President Trump will attend the G20 summit in November and how the US will engage with the G20 meetings moving forward.

Data Points

• February 20-21, 2025: Scheduled G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg, which Rubio will boycott.
• November 2025: Scheduled G20 summit in Johannesburg, attendance by Trump uncertain.
• 2017: South African government announced plans to amend the Constitution to allow for land expropriation without compensation.
• 2018: Parliament of South Africa passed a motion to review the property ownership clause of the Constitution.