US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will skip the upcoming G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Cape Town, South Africa. In a post on social media, Bessent cited “obligations in Washington” as the reason for his absence, with a senior official attending in his place.
The move is unusual for a US Treasury secretary, as the US often leads G20 agreements on financial and monetary policy matters. The decision comes amid tensions between the US and South Africa, which hosts the G20 presidency from December 2024 to November 2025.
US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin has sparked speculation about Bessent’s absence. While the White House did not confirm the reason for Bessent’s skip, a source told Reuters that it was due to “duties with the president.”
The G20 group, which includes the US, China, and Russia, has addressed various global economic issues, including responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, fighting inflation, and dealing with climate change.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us-treasurys-bessent-skip-g20-meeting-south-africa-nyt-reports-2025-02-19