G20 finance chiefs meet in the US without South Africa

G20 finance ministers and central bank governors are meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, with United States (US) Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

They are pushing for greater international cooperation on economic growth and support for Washington’s campaign to isolate Iran.

But G20 member South Africa is absent after the Trump administration excluded Pretoria’s officials from this year’s G20 process .

Several G20 members, including Germany, China, India, Brazil and the African Union, have objected to South Africa’s exclusion .

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is seeking support for Washington’s economic pressure campaign against Iran.

Bessent is expected to press countries to cut business ties with Tehran, with the threat of US secondary sanctions for those that continue trading with Iran.

The talks are also focused on global growth, trade imbalances, rising debt and strengthening supply chains.

Last year’s G20 host South Africa remains excluded from the US G20 processes this year, following a deterioration in relations between Washington and Pretoria over domestic and foreign policy differences.

The meeting runs through Tuesday.

VIDEO | South Africa handed over the G20 presidency to the US last year: