Eu Joins China In Backing South Africa's G20 Presidency After Us Snub

European Council President Antonio Costa has expressed support South Africas G20 presidency, a week after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will not attend a G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg later this month.

I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote solidarity, equality and sustainability. In other words: DEI diversity, equity and inclusion and climate change, Rubio wrote on X on 6 February.

My job is to advance America's national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism.

On Monday 10 February, Costa revealed that he had spoken on the phone with President Cyril Ramaphosa . He expressed the EU's commitment to deepen ties with South Africa, which he referred to as a reliable and predictable partner.

I expressed the EU's European Unions full support to South Africa's leadership of G20 and its ambition to strengthen multilateral cooperation and the Pact for the Future to address the most pressing global issues, Costa wrote on X .

The European Council defines the EUs overall political direction and priorities, according to its website. Its members include the 27 European heads of state and government, Costa and the President of the European Commission.

Writing on X, Ramaphosa welcomed his engagement with Costa. South Africa and the European Union share the same values of democracy, human rights, dignity and equality, he wrote.

I also look forward to working together with the leadership of the EU in ensuring a successful G20 in line with our chosen theme and in tackling the most pressing global challenges.

South Africa and the EU are set to hold a summit on 13 March 2025. The EU is a member of the G20.

Last week, Chinese ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng also expressed support for South Africas G20 leadership and criticised Rubios decision to skip the foreign ministers meeting.