U.S. Not Participating in G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

The G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from February 20 to 21, 2025. During the meeting, topics such as the situation in Ukraine, trade issues, and geopolitical conflicts were discussed, with various countries exchanging their positions and opinions.

Marco Rubio (U.S. Secretary of State) skipped the meeting, criticizing South Africa’s anti-American stance. David Lammy (UK) criticized Russia’s position on Ukraine, while Takeshi Iwaya (Japan) and Mélanie Joly (Canada) also participated. Sergey Lavrov (Russia) criticized the West, sparking reactions from others. Jean-Yves Le Drian (France) took part as well, with discussions focusing on the Ukraine conflict, trade, and geopolitical tensions.

Geopolitical Tensions and the Ukraine Conflict

Western countries like the U.S., France, and Germany stood firmly behind Ukraine, pushing for tougher sanctions on Russia.

But, China and Russia had a different perspective. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi actually supported former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for a peace deal with Russia—something that didn’t sit well with America’s allies. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov doubled down on his position, accusing the West of making things worse. The lack of a unified stance on Ukraine just highlighted how divided the G20 really is right now.

Trade and Economic Concerns

And then there’s trade. If you’ve been following the global economy, you know that supply chains are a mess, protectionism is on the rise, and some countries are feeling the squeeze. During the recent G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the high tariff measures proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump were also discussed. Under the Trump administration, the United States raised tariffs on many countries, leading to a trade war. The backdrop of these measures was the protection of domestic industries and the reduction of trade deficits, with particular attention to the trade friction with China.

At the meeting, participating countries emphasized the importance of free trade. Free trade is essential for promoting economic growth and international cooperation, and the risks of excessive protectionism were warned against. Specifically, the potential impacts of high tariff measures on international trade relations were highlighted, including economic inefficiencies and the possibility of retaliatory actions by other countries.

Climate Change and Environmental Policies

Another major issue discussed here is climate change. Japan’s Foreign Minister, Takeshi Iwaya, took the stage to share how Japan is leading the way in disaster prevention and clean energy. His message? Technology, not just regulations, will be key to fighting climate change.

But here’s where things got tricky. Developing nations demanded more financial help from richer countries to support their transition to green energy. South Africa, as the host nation, was especially vocal about this. Its Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, emphasized that “the voices of Africa, which is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, must be respected,” as the Trump administration in the United States announced its intention to withdraw from the international climate framework, the Paris Agreement.

The U.S. Absence and Its Implications

One of the most noticeable things about this year’s meeting? The absence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. His no-show sent a clear message—Washington isn’t happy with how some G20 members (especially China and South Africa) are handling trade, human rights, and geopolitical issues. Without the U.S. in the room, Western nations struggled to rally support for their positions. It definitely made an impact.

No Joint Statement—What Now?

The meeting concluded on the 21st, with the host country, South Africa, refraining from finalizing a joint document. Disagreements among participating countries on issues such as the Ukraine invasion and climate change highlighted the growing divisions within the international community.

A partnership between the U.S. and Russia would shift the Cold War-era power structure, changing the global geopolitical balance. Other major powers, especially China and Europe, would have to adapt to new dynamics, potentially requiring a strategic reorientation.

Climate change

The G20 can provide financial assistance and technical support to developing countries to help them address climate change. Specifically, financial aid from developed countries can assist in building the infrastructure needed for greenhouse gas reduction and environmental protection. Additionally, supporting the transfer of clean energy and environmental protection technologies is crucial for promoting sustainable development in developing nations. Now, developed countries are increasingly required not only to manage the impacts of climate change but also to assist developing countries economically and technically. In this global effort, everyone can contribute. At Carbon Da Capo, we are helping through carbon credits. Let’s make a difference together.