Richards Sanders
President Cyril Ramaphosa has downplayed the absence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the G20 Foreign Ministersโ meeting, calling it โnot a train smash.โ Ramaphosa insisted that the US would still follow the outcomes of the discussions.
โThe United States is still represented here and they are part of the G20. The discussions that will take place here, will include their input. So this is not a boycott,โ Ramaphosa said on the sidelines of the meeting at Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
Rubioโs decision to skip the meeting followed US concerns over the countryโs land policy, particularly after Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Act.
The US is currently represented by the embassy staff in Rubioโs absence.
Ramaphosa stressed the importance of the US as South Africaโs second-largest trading partner, noting the extensive political, trade, and diplomatic interactions between the two countries.
โWe are committed to maintaining a strong relationship with the United States,โ Ramaphosa said.
โWhile we may not agree on everything, we are committed to finding ways to work together.โ
Ramaphosa acknowledged that disagreements, such as those over the land reform, would be addressed diplomatically.
โWe will resolve these issues and work to strengthen our ties,โ he said.
Ramaphosa also mentioned his communication with US President Donald Trump, whom he said he congratulated after his election.
He said they discussed the G20 with him, reminding Trump that South Africa would be hosting the summit before handing over to the US the following year.
Ramaphosa added that the two also spoke about Trumpโs admiration for South African golfers.
โOur communications are good and we will continue to build on them as we address the issues that appear to be difficult, and find solutions,โ he added.
