U.S. Trade Aggression Overshadows South Africa’s G-20 Agenda as Trump Targets BRICS Nations
Scott Bessent's absence from the G-20 meeting in South Africa underscores a broader boycott by top American officials, initiated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The snub comes as South Africa seeks to prioritize debt relief and emerging economy concerns, but U.S. trade policies are hijacking the agenda.
President Donald Trump's threats of tariffs on BRICS nations—including a 10% levy on South Africa and a 50% retaliation against Brazil—have turned the summit into a geopolitical battleground. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly challenged TRUMP after their meeting in Rio de Janeiro, as climate finance talks are sidelined by trade hostilities.