6 d. ago China set to benefit as South Africa looks to diversify away from US

South Africa is looking to new export markets in Asia – particularly China – and Europe to diversify away from the United States, as its relations with Washington rapidly deteriorate. America boycotted last weekend’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg after Washington accused Pretoria of persecuting Afrikaner farmers, labelling the situation “white genocide” – a claim the South African government strongly denies. On Wednesday the situation escalated, with US President Donald Trump saying...

Politics

1 week ago China pushes multilateralism, solidarity and free trade at G20 amid US’ absence

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has taken Beijing’s push for multilateralism to the Group of 20 summit in South Africa, calling for solidarity and free trade at an event boycotted by the world’s biggest economy. Addressing the gathering of leaders in Johannesburg on Saturday, Li pointed to challenges faced by various international institutions. “We have to advance with time and take the lead to uphold multilateralism” in the face of difficulties of governance, he said, according to state news agency...

Politics

1 week ago At G20, China pushes multilateralism, solidarity and free trade amid US boycott

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has taken Beijing’s push for multilateralism to the Group of 20 summit in South Africa, calling for solidarity and free trade at an event boycotted by the world’s biggest economy. Addressing the gathering of leaders in Johannesburg on Saturday, Li pointed to challenges faced by various international institutions. “We have to advance with time and take the lead to uphold multilateralism” in the face of difficulties of governance, he said, according to state news agency...

Politics

1 week ago At G20, China pushes multilateralism, solidarity and free trade as US boycotts summit

At G20, China pushes multilateralism, solidarity and free trade as US boycotts summit  Yahoo News Singapore

Politics

1 week ago G20 South Africa summit opens under shadow of first US boycott

The G20 summit in Johannesburg opened on Saturday with a firm call from the host nation to safeguard the group’s credibility and role, despite the shadow cast by the first-ever US boycott in the forum’s history. South Africa has, however, secured crucial diplomatic backing from China for the assembly of the world’s wealthiest and leading emerging economies. Members should “not allow anything to diminish the value, stature and impact of the first African G20”, South African President Cyril...

Politics

2 w. ago US wants to reverse boycott and join G20 summit, says South African president

The United States government has indicated that it has had a “change of mind” and wants to take part in the Group of 20 summit in South Africa in a reverse of its boycott, the South African president said on Thursday. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the summit host country had received communication from the US at “the eleventh hour” and was now working on the logistics to accommodate the US. US President Donald Trump had announced that his administration would boycott the two-day...

Politics

2 w. ago US is not attending G20, White House says, denying South African leader’s comment

The United States is not taking part in this weekend’s G20 summit in Johannesburg, the White House said on Thursday, denying earlier comments from South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, who had said Washington wanted to take part. “The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. “I saw the South African president running his mouth a little bit against the United States and the president of the...

Politics

2 w. ago White House denies reversing G20 boycott, hits out at South African leader

The White House hit out on Thursday at South Africa’s leader for “running his mouth” over the United States’ boycott of this weekend’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg in another diplomatic rift between the US and a country that has been especially targeted for criticism by President Donald Trump. South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters in Johannesburg that the US had indicated it was changing its mind over its boycott of the G20 leaders summit at the “11th hour” and wanted to take...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump administration warns South Africa not to issue G20 statement

The US formally warned South Africa against pushing for a joint statement at this weekend’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg that the Trump administration is boycotting, according to a document seen by Bloomberg. The diplomatic stand-off is particularly awkward given it’s the first time the continent is hosting a G20 and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is passing the baton to US President Donald Trump at the end of this year. Tensions between the two men came to a head at an Oval...

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