International diplomatic aspirations are at risk due to power struggles. South Africa’s G20 presidency was intended to draw attention to issues such as inequality, debt, and climate change, but the United States has declined to participate. The U.S. criticized South Africa’s goals and cut financial aid, leading to doubts about the G20’s relevance. Despite U.S. opposition, South Africa plans to proceed with its agenda with support from other G20 nations. Analysts suggest that the U.S. stance may inadvertently strengthen China and Russia’s influence within the G20. China and Russia have expressed willingness to work with South Africa’s presidency, highlighting the shifting dynamics within the G20.
India and South Africa are members. Trump last month warned BRICS members against replacing the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency, repeating a 100% tariffs threat he had made weeks after winning the U.S. presidential election. The G20 foreign ministers’ meeting is due to be followed by a finance ministers’ meeting on February 26-27, which U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has not said if he will attend. South Africa holds the G20 presidency until December, when it hands over to the United States. A leaders’ summit is scheduled for November. (Additional reporting by Nellie Peyton and Sfundo Parakozov in Johannesburg, Ryan Woo in Beijing, and Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow; Writing by Kopano Gumbi; Editing by Tim Cocks, Estelle Shirbon, and Alex Richardson)
