South Africa has downplayed the absence of US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent at a meeting of G20 finance chiefs, saying it believed the world’s biggest economy is still “committed” to the grouping as the gathering starts in Durban.

Continuing a boycott of South Africa by top US officials begun by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stayed away out of scorn over his hosts’ theme for its G20 presidency of 'Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.

By Andrea ShalalWASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will skip a Group of 20 finance officials meeting in South Africa next week, sources familiar with his plans told Reuters, but will attend the World Expo 2025 in Osaka,