Thu Feb 06 03:42:23 UTC 2025: ## US Skips G20 Talks in South Africa Amid Land Expropriation Dispute

**JOHANNESBURG, South Africa** – The United States will not participate in upcoming G20 foreign ministers’ meetings in Johannesburg, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday. This decision follows escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria over South Africa’s new land expropriation law.

Rubio cited the law, which allows the government to seize land without compensation under certain circumstances, as the reason for his absence. He described South Africa’s actions as “very bad things” and stated that his priority is advancing American national interests, not engaging with what he termed “anti-Americanism.”

President Donald Trump previously threatened to cut aid to South Africa over the legislation, prompting a strong response from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa defended the law as a necessary step to address historical land inequalities stemming from apartheid, emphasizing that it is not a tool for arbitrary confiscation but a part of a constitutional process aimed at equitable land distribution.

While the South African government has yet to utilize the law to seize any land, the opposition Democratic Alliance has voiced concerns about its potential impact on property rights and foreign investment. The DA also criticized Trump’s threat to cut aid, calling it a misconception to suggest the law allows for arbitrary land seizures.

The land issue remains deeply sensitive in South Africa, reflecting the legacy of apartheid and stark inequalities in land ownership. Black South Africans, who constitute over 80% of the population, own a mere 4% of privately held farmland, according to a 2017 government audit.

Rubio’s decision has drawn criticism, with former White House official Andrew Bates arguing that the absence weakens U.S. influence and benefits China. The dispute highlights the significant diplomatic challenge posed by South Africa’s land reform efforts and the potential impact on US-South African relations, particularly given the substantial US aid allocated to South Africa in recent years (approximately $440 million in 2023).

Read More