Bessent's G20 Skipping Stuns As U.S.-South Africa Ties Wane

Scott Bessent's unexpected decision to forgo G20 meetings in Cape Town deepens U.S.-South African diplomatic strains, raising questions about future multilateral engagements.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has chosen not to attend the upcoming G20 finance ministers and central bankers meeting set for next week in Cape Town, a move that illustrates the escalating tensions between the United States and South Africa. This decision comes only weeks after Bessent’s confirmation to the Treasury role and echoes similar sentiments expressed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently boycotted a foreign ministers meeting due to perceived anti-American sentiments in South Africa.

Official sources suggest that Bessent's absence from such a significant international economic gathering is an unusual step for someone newly in office. The G20 meetings, which are intended to foster discussion among economic leaders, are particularly important given the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, notably with Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

This year's G20 assembly focuses on "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability," themes that the Trump administration has criticized for conflicting with their views on climate change and social equity. President Trump has indicated a preference for bilateral discussions over multilateral seminars, further complicating relationships with global partners.

Bessent's decision is particularly surprising for South Africa, where officials had publicly anticipated his participation. The rising diplomatic discord follows Trump's recent orders to withdraw U.S. foreign aid to South Africa and his controversial remarks advocating for the relocation of "Afrikaner refugees" to the United States, citing the country’s new Expropriation Act as discriminatory against white landowners.

The political landscape has shifted significantly, with the U.S. taking a more confrontational stance on South African land policies, intensifying scrutiny on President Cyril Ramaphosa's government. This escalation marks a pivotal turn in U.S.-South Africa relations, with significant implications for trade, aid, and collaboration on global issues as Bessent braces for fallout from these diplomatic rifts.