JOHANNESBURG - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he will not attend the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in February.
He accuses Pretoria of using the Group to promote a Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity agenda.
Rubio says the theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability is essentially DEI, which is anti-American.
The Trump administration has been reversing equality and inclusivity reforms in the US.
WATCH: SA-US relations | SA to engage Trump over land policy
It also comes just days after Donald Trump lambasted land reform laws in South Africa.
He claimed, without an evidence, that certain groups of people are being treated badly.
Meanwhile, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola says Pretoria will continue to engage Washington.
He says SA's G20 Presidency is not confined to just climate change but also equitable treatment.
There's been harsh criticism of Rubio's move in the US as well, with critics saying it's a show of weakness that plays into China's hands.
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