South Africa is ready to discuss with the United States on an equal footing the claims made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South African Foreign Ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri told Sputnik on Thursday.
“We have no intention of engaging in speculation. We are ready to engage with the United States on an equal footing,” Phiri said.
The "very bad things" mentioned by Rubio include alleged expropriation of private property and using the summit to promote the DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) agenda and climate change.
"My job is to advance America's national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism," he continued.
South Africa has not received official notification from the US of Rubio's refusal to attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Phiri added.