JOHANNESBURG (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will skip a two-day meeting of foreign ministers from the leading rich and developing nations that starts on Thursday after criticizing host South Africa’s policies as anti-American.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will skip next week's meeting of finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 countries in Cape Town, South Africa, the New York Times reported on Wednesday,

The Treasury secretary is the second top U.S. official to boycott the Group of 20 gatherings because of rising tension with South Africa over its land policies.

Analysts say US boycott could benefit other big powers, such as Russia and China, whose foreign ministers will be attending