South Africa’s G20 presidency aimed to highlight global inequality, debt, and climate change, but U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed its agenda. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the goals “very bad” and will skip next week’s G20 meetings in Johannesburg.
South Africa’s G20 presidency was meant to bring attention to pressing concerns of developing nations, including rising inequality, unsustainable debt, and climate change. However, the U.S., the most powerful G20 member, has rejected Pretoria’s agenda.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on February 6 that he would not attend next week’s G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Johannesburg. President Trump further escalated tensions by cutting U.S. financial assistance to South Africa, citing opposition to its land redistribution policy and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
“The U.S. stance seems to be aimed at making sure that South Africa doesn't hold a successful G20,” said Ongama Mtimka, acting director at Nelson Mandela University’s Raymond Mhlaba Center for Governance and Leadership.
The G20, established after the 2008 financial crisis to include major emerging economies, plays a key role in global economic and climate policies. But analysts say the Trump administration’s stance raises questions about its future.
“The bigger question that one has to ask is what is the G20 without the United States?” said David Monyae, director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg. “The implications are much bigger than South Africa... It means the collapse of the G20 process itself.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sought to use the G20 presidency to push for climate action and fairer financial systems for poorer nations. South Africa, like many developing countries, spends more on debt servicing than healthcare.
Despite U.S. opposition, Pretoria insists it has strong backing from other G20 members. Foreign ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said South Africa would continue with its agenda “regardless of U.S. objections.”
Analysts suggest Washington’s stance benefits its rivals, allowing China and Russia to take a stronger leadership role within the G20. Chinese President Xi Jinping led key discussions at the last G20 summit in Brazil and has announced support measures for emerging economies.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will both attend the February 20-21 meetings in Johannesburg. Russia’s foreign ministry said several developing G20 members had approached Moscow with proposals ahead of the summit.
G20 power struggles are further complicated by its overlap with BRICS—a bloc including China, Russia, Brazil, India, and South Africa—formed to challenge U.S.-led global governance.
Trump last month warned BRICS members against replacing the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency, repeating a 100% tariff threat he first made after winning the U.S. presidential election.
The upcoming G20 finance ministers’ meeting on February 26-27 remains uncertain, as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has not confirmed his attendance.
South Africa holds the G20 presidency until December, when the U.S. will take over. A leaders' summit is scheduled for November.
Russia’s defense ministry has accused Ukraine of carrying out four separate attacks on its energy facilities within a 24-hour period, alleging violations of a U.S.-brokered moratorium aimed at preventing strikes on each other’s critical energy infrastructure.
Sporting legends, rising stars, and international guests gathered in Madrid for the 24th Laureus World Sports Awards, where the global sporting community came together to celebrate a year of exceptional achievements, inspiring moments, and the unifying power of sport.
South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted from office, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday to attend the second hearing in his ongoing criminal trial, where he faces serious charges of insurrection.
A U.S. airstrike on Yemen’s Ras Isa oil port has killed at least 74 people and injured 171 others, marking the deadliest known attack in President Trump’s renewed campaign against Houthi rebels and raising alarm over the widening scope of the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has signaled that a nuclear agreement with the United States remains within reach, provided Washington adopts a realistic and constructive approach ahead of the second round of negotiations with the Trump administration.
A mob attack on an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi has left one man dead, highlighting ongoing persecution of the minority group.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
Students in Serbia have rallied outside a police station as Belgrade University’s rector is questioned over support for anti-government protests.
OpenAI has unveiled a new option called Flex processing, an API service designed to provide more affordable AI model usage in exchange for slower response times and occasional resource unavailability.
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 16th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A mob attack on an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi has left one man dead, highlighting ongoing persecution of the minority group.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
Students in Serbia have rallied outside a police station as Belgrade University’s rector is questioned over support for anti-government protests.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov extended Moscow’s support for the ongoing indirect nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, offering to mediate or assist in any way that would be beneficial to Tehran and acceptable to Washington.
A mob attack on an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi has left one man dead, highlighting ongoing persecution of the minority group.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
Students in Serbia have rallied outside a police station as Belgrade University’s rector is questioned over support for anti-government protests.
OpenAI has unveiled a new option called Flex processing, an API service designed to provide more affordable AI model usage in exchange for slower response times and occasional resource unavailability.
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