World leaders at the ongoing Group of 20 (G20) summit released a draft of the declaration on Tuesday, in which they said that "most" members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and its repercussions on the global economy. This was mentioned in the 16-page draft that is yet to be adopted by G20 member countries.&nbsp;

The document also mentioned the G20 members' concern over global food security challenges that are posed in front of the world due to escalations between Russia and Ukraine.&nbsp;As Ukraine is among the top three exporters of grain in the world and is also often called the "bread basket of Europe", it is becoming difficult for Ukraine to produce grains due to disruptions of supply lines.&nbsp;On the other hand, Russia is also among the major producers of staple food items, both Ukraine and Russia together provide 90 per cent of the wheat supply in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Eritrea, Georgia, Mongolia and Somalia.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unga-passes-resolution-seeking-reparation-from-russia-to-ukraine-india-abstains-from-voting-534268">UNGA passes resolution seeking reparation from Russia to Ukraine; India abstains from voting</a>

The draft stated, "Most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy," commenting that Russia had opposed dialogue.

Suggesting that some countries may not have agreed to the draft declaration, a European diplomat said, "There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions".&nbsp;The declaration was drafted in the first session of the summit held on Tuesday, in which many countries also condemned Russia over its invasion of Ukraine or the "special military operation", as declared by Russia.

The draft declaration further added that "Recognising that the G20 is not the forum to resolve security issues, we acknowledge that security issues can have significant consequences for the global economy."&nbsp;This was mentioned in a response to the Russian foreign ministry's statement on Sunday that G20 was not the place where security issues should be discussed, rather world's economic challenges should be prioritised.&nbsp;

While highlighting the debt issues, the draft declaration focuses on the importance of all creditors sharing a fair burden, without the mention of China. China has been criticised by the west for delaying efforts in mitigating the burden for some emerging countries.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also urged leaders at the summit via a video link to take some concrete actions against Russia's war in his country under a peace plan proposed by him.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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World leaders at the ongoing Group of 20 (G20) summit released a draft of the declaration on Tuesday, in which they said that "most" members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and its repercussions on the global economy.

World leaders at the ongoing Group of 20 (G20) summit released a draft of the declaration on Tuesday, in which they said that "most" members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and its repercussions on the global economy. This was mentioned in the 16-page draft that is yet to be adopted by G20 member countries. The document also mentioned the G20 members' concern over global food security challenges that are posed in front of the world due to escalations between Russia and Ukraine. As Ukraine is among the top three exporters of grain in the world and is also often called the "bread basket of Europe", it is becoming difficult for Ukraine to produce grains due to disruptions of supply lines. On the other hand, Russia is also among the major producers of staple food items, both Ukraine and Russia together provide 90 per cent of the wheat supply in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Eritrea, Georgia, Mongolia and Somalia. Also Read | UNGA passes resolution seeking reparation from Russia to Ukraine; India abstains from voting The draft stated, "Most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy," commenting that Russia had opposed dialogue. Suggesting that some countries may not have agreed to the draft declaration, a European diplomat said, "There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions". The declaration was drafted in the first session of the summit held on Tuesday, in which many countries also condemned Russia over its invasion of Ukraine or the "special military operation", as declared by Russia. The draft declaration further added that "Recognising that the G20 is not the forum to resolve security issues, we acknowledge that security issues can have significant consequences for the global economy." This was mentioned in a response to the Russian foreign ministry's statement on Sunday that G20 was not the place where security issues should be discussed, rather world's economic challenges should be prioritised. While highlighting the debt issues, the draft declaration focuses on the importance of all creditors sharing a fair burden, without the mention of China. China has been criticised by the west for delaying efforts in mitigating the burden for some emerging countries. On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also urged leaders at the summit via a video link to take some concrete actions against Russia's war in his country under a peace plan proposed by him. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Most members at the G20 summit condemn war in Ukraine, draft declaration says

The Indonesian government is facing severe criticism for appointing a pop star as its Group of 20 (G-20) spokesperson.

Ayunda Faza Maudya —a 27-year-old singer and actress also known as Maudy Ayunda —was chosen by President Joko Widodo on March 31 to speak on global issues on the country's behalf at the G-20 summit in Washington this week.

According to critics, Ayunda was chosen as the country’s representative despite lacking economic and diplomatic experience.

In response to Bloomberg questions on her role in the G-20 meet, Ayunda said her job is to report the&nbsp;meeting results that are relevant to Indonesia, while sensitive issues will be handled by other representatives.

At her first briefing, the singer ignored questions on Putin's attendance at the G20 meet as the journalists were told to ask about her personality instead.

Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, has been accused of making vanity appointments to politically significant roles that include celebrities, start-up founders and children of tycoons.

It is being claimed that Widodo, with the appointment of such millennials, aims to connect with the youths who are battling high unemployment.

Over half of the country's 273 million people are younger than 35 and the unemployment rate for those aged 16 to 30 was hovering at 14 per cent last year, Bloomberg reported.

Experts point out that the government is solely focusing on privileged urban youth,&nbsp;who fit into the establishment’s line of thinking, as role models while leaving out the majority who are middle-to lower-income and live in rural areas.

The critics argue that such cosmetic appointments are part of the government’s efforts to temper criticism from the youth on critical issues, like jobs and public services.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Indonesian government is facing severe criticism for appointing a pop star as its Group of 20 (G-20) spokesperson. Ayunda Faza Maudya —a 27-year-old singer and actress also known as Maudy Ayunda —was chosen by President Joko Widodo on March 31 to speak on global issues on the country's behalf at the G-20 summit in Washington this week.

The Indonesian government is facing severe criticism for appointing a pop star as its Group of 20 (G-20) spokesperson. Ayunda Faza Maudya —a 27-year-old singer and actress also known as Maudy Ayunda —was chosen by President Joko Widodo on March 31 to speak on global issues on the country's behalf at the G-20 summit in Washington this week. According to critics, Ayunda was chosen as the country’s representative despite lacking economic and diplomatic experience. In response to Bloomberg questions on her role in the G-20 meet, Ayunda said her job is to report the meeting results that are relevant to Indonesia, while sensitive issues will be handled by other representatives. At her first briefing, the singer ignored questions on Putin's attendance at the G20 meet as the journalists were told to ask about her personality instead. Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, has been accused of making vanity appointments to politically significant roles that include celebrities, start-up founders and children of tycoons. It is being claimed that Widodo, with the appointment of such millennials, aims to connect with the youths who are battling high unemployment. Over half of the country's 273 million people are younger than 35 and the unemployment rate for those aged 16 to 30 was hovering at 14 per cent last year, Bloomberg reported. Experts point out that the government is solely focusing on privileged urban youth, who fit into the establishment’s line of thinking, as role models while leaving out the majority who are middle-to lower-income and live in rural areas. The critics argue that such cosmetic appointments are part of the government’s efforts to temper criticism from the youth on critical issues, like jobs and public services. (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesian President Widodo slammed for appointing pop star for G-20 role

It is the second day of the G20 summit in Rome and it is expected that the summit will help global leaders agree on a roadmap for a sustainable, green and speedy recovery from the Coronavirus. Sunday's session will focus on climate change and the environment.

G20 summit expected to help global leaders agree on roadmap for sustainable recovery

In an open letter, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have urged the global leaders to eliminate the "devastating" coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine inequity and also end the pandemic once and for all. Harry and Meghan also stated that "promises aren't translating" into vaccines reaching the people that need them.&nbsp;

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have partnered with Tedros Adhanom, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise the issue to&nbsp;the leaders at the G20 Summit that how low-income countries are suffering due to a lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-ed-sheeran-sticks-with-a-familiar-formula-on-%E2%80%98%E2%80%99-425205">Ed Sheeran sticks with a familiar formula on ‘=’</a>

The letter, which is published on the official site of the WHO read: "Of the almost 7 billion doses that have been administered globally, just 3 percent of people in low-income countries have had a jab so far. Where are the rest?"&nbsp;

"COVAX, the initiative designed to help achieve fair global access to COVID vaccines, has been promised 1.3 billion doses to be donated for the low-income countries it supports, yet it has been able to ship only 150 million - 11.5 percent – to date. Where are the rest?" the letter read.&nbsp;

The letter also stressed&nbsp;that millions of surplus vaccines are getting wasted once they expire, however, every discarded dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is a matter of outrage as they could have been donated. The letter noted that each dose of vaccine represents a real person, who could have been protected.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-american-music-awards-2021-bts-ariana-grande-nominated-for-artist-of-the-year-read-for-details-425193">American Music Awards 2021: BTS, Ariana Grande nominated for Artist of the Year; read for details</a>

Leaders of the world's 20 biggest economies endorsed on Saturday a global minimum tax aimed at stopping big business from hiding profits in tax havens, and also agreed to get more Covid vaccines to poorer nations.&nbsp;

Attending their first in-person summit in two years, G20 leaders broadly backed calls to extend debt relief for impoverished countries and pledged to vaccinate 70 per cent of the world's population against COVID-19 by mid-2022.&nbsp;

"There are many crises that you – the stewards of our planet – must grapple with this weekend: the climate emergency, the state of our global economy, a recommitment to multilateralism. Yet, in many ways, making headway on these priorities depends on whether we can beat this pandemic," the letter included.&nbsp;

"Cooperation of historic proportion is the only solution. Lives literally depend on it," Harry and Meghan concluded in the letter.&nbsp;

In an open letter, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have urged the global leaders to eliminate the "devastating" coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine inequity and also end the pandemic once and for all.

In an open letter, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have urged the global leaders to eliminate the "devastating" coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine inequity and also end the pandemic once and for all. Harry and Meghan also stated that "promises aren't translating" into vaccines reaching the people that need them. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have partnered with Tedros Adhanom, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise the issue to the leaders at the G20 Summit that how low-income countries are suffering due to a lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines. ALSO READ | Ed Sheeran sticks with a familiar formula on ‘=’ The letter, which is published on the official site of the WHO read: "Of the almost 7 billion doses that have been administered globally, just 3 percent of people in low-income countries have had a jab so far. Where are the rest?" "COVAX, the initiative designed to help achieve fair global access to COVID vaccines, has been promised 1.3 billion doses to be donated for the low-income countries it supports, yet it has been able to ship only 150 million - 11.5 percent – to date. Where are the rest?" the letter read. The letter also stressed that millions of surplus vaccines are getting wasted once they expire, however, every discarded dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is a matter of outrage as they could have been donated. The letter noted that each dose of vaccine represents a real person, who could have been protected. ALSO READ | American Music Awards 2021: BTS, Ariana Grande nominated for Artist of the Year; read for details Leaders of the world's 20 biggest economies endorsed on Saturday a global minimum tax aimed at stopping big business from hiding profits in tax havens, and also agreed to get more Covid vaccines to poorer nations. Attending their first in-person summit in two years, G20 leaders broadly backed calls to extend debt relief for impoverished countries and pledged to vaccinate 70 per cent of the world's population against COVID-19 by mid-2022. "There are many crises that you – the stewards of our planet – must grapple with this weekend: the climate emergency, the state of our global economy, a recommitment to multilateralism. Yet, in many ways, making headway on these priorities depends on whether we can beat this pandemic," the letter included. "Cooperation of historic proportion is the only solution. Lives literally depend on it," Harry and Meghan concluded in the letter.

'Promises aren't translating': Harry and Meghan urge G20 leaders to address COVID-19 vaccine inequity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Italy to attend the 16th G-20 Summit and the World Leaders’ Summit of COP-26 respectively. He will pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his first day of arrival in Rome.

Prime Minister Modi arrives in Italy to attend the 16th G-20 Summit

Just following the G20 summit will be the COP26 meeting that will be held in Glasgow on climate change. Governments have a new pet project, i.e., net zero emissions. What does this mean? Find out in this report.

Governments around the globe have a new pet project - net zero emissions, what is it all about?

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the G20 leaders’ summit in Rome via online, according to a statement issued by China’s foreign ministry.

He will attend the summit on October 30-31 and will make a speech at the summit, the notice said.

Apart from Xi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would also be attending the summit online.

Xi has not left China since early 2020, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have confirmed that they will attend in person, while Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will send his foreign minister.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-split-over-coal-15-degree-climate-limit-ahead-of-rome-summit-report-422972">G20 split over coal, 1.5 degree climate limit ahead of Rome summit: Report</a>

The G20, whose countries account for 80% of global carbon emissions, is considered an important milestone before the United Nations COP26 climate summit in Scotland, which begins on Sunday.

The two-day event will see the heads of the world’s wealthiest nations converge in Rome to discuss climate change, COVID-19 and the post-pandemic global recovery.

Xi is also not expected to attend COP26 in person, which could indicate that the world's biggest CO2 producer has already decided that it has no more concessions to offer at the U.N. COP26 climate summit in Scotland after three major pledges since last year, climate watchers said.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-meet-macron-merkel-deuba-and-bennett-during-italy-uk-visits-424882">&nbsp;PM Modi to meet Macron, Merkel, Deuba and Bennett during Italy, UK visits</a>

According to media reports, activists from ‘No Green Pass’ and ‘Fridays for Future’ are expected to organise demonstrations in Rome during the G20 summit.

The G20 also aims to underline that rich countries should stump up $100 billion dollars per year to help poorer nations adapt to climate change.

This goal was supposed to be achieved by 2020, according to an agreement reached in 2009, but has not been met.

(With inputs from agencies)

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the G20 leaders’ summit in Rome via online, according to a statement issued by China’s foreign ministry. He will attend the summit on October 30-31 and will make a speech at the summit, the notice said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the G20 leaders’ summit in Rome via online, according to a statement issued by China’s foreign ministry. He will attend the summit on October 30-31 and will make a speech at the summit, the notice said. Apart from Xi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would also be attending the summit online. Xi has not left China since early 2020, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have confirmed that they will attend in person, while Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will send his foreign minister. Also read | G20 split over coal, 1.5 degree climate limit ahead of Rome summit: Report The G20, whose countries account for 80% of global carbon emissions, is considered an important milestone before the United Nations COP26 climate summit in Scotland, which begins on Sunday. The two-day event will see the heads of the world’s wealthiest nations converge in Rome to discuss climate change, COVID-19 and the post-pandemic global recovery. Xi is also not expected to attend COP26 in person, which could indicate that the world's biggest CO2 producer has already decided that it has no more concessions to offer at the U.N. COP26 climate summit in Scotland after three major pledges since last year, climate watchers said. Also read | PM Modi to meet Macron, Merkel, Deuba and Bennett during Italy, UK visits According to media reports, activists from ‘No Green Pass’ and ‘Fridays for Future’ are expected to organise demonstrations in Rome during the G20 summit. The G20 also aims to underline that rich countries should stump up $100 billion dollars per year to help poorer nations adapt to climate change. This goal was supposed to be achieved by 2020, according to an agreement reached in 2009, but has not been met. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese president Xi Jinping to attend G20 Summit online

India's PM Modi has a very important message for world leaders who are attending the G20 summit. He is in Italy to attend the summit. Watch this report to know more on PM Modi's visit.

India's PM Modi to attend G20 summit in Rome

The world's top 20 richest nations are going to be meeting soon in Rome. World leaders will gather for a two-day summit. The focus will be on three things - climate change, COVID-19 and also on building back better. We tell you what the G20 summit means for the world. Watch this report.

World's top 20 richest nations to meet in Rome soon

The United States has shipped several million tonnes of soybeans to China since the two countries' leaders met in June, Chinese state media said on Sunday, an apparent sign of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-survive-trade-war-some-us-importers-embark-on-major-revamps-of-product-lines-238323">goodwill before trade talks</a> in Shanghai this week.

The US-China trade war has curbed the export of US crops to China, with soybean sales falling sharply after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-2019-growth-seen-slowing-to-62-per-cent-as-trade-war-weighs-reuters-poll-234697">Beijing slapped tariffs</a> of 25 per cent&nbsp;on American cargoes.

China has made enquiries to US suppliers for the purchase of soybeans, cotton, pork sorghum and other agricultural products since July 19, and some sales have been made, state broadcaster CCTV said, citing China's National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce.

"As long as the American agricultural products are reasonably priced and of good quality, it is expected that there will be new purchases," the report said.

Companies involved in the sales have applied for exclusions to tariffs on agricultural goods with Chinese customs officials, it said.

It added that the moves show China's willingness to promote US&nbsp;products and make good on a consensus reached between presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Osaka in June.

Chinese and US negotiators are set to meet in Shanghai this week for the first time since the summit, with talks to start on July 30.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration said it would exempt a relatively narrow list of 110 Chinese products from tariffs, including medical equipment and key capacitors.

China brought in 614,805 tonnes of soybeans from the United States in June, down 2.5 per cent from June 2018 and down 37 per cent from 977,024 tonnes in May, customs data released on Saturday showed.

The state media report on Sunday said the United States should "take concrete measures to implement its relevant commitments and create favourable conditions for bilateral economic and trade cooperation".

The United States has shipped several million tonnes of soybeans to China since the two countries' leaders met in June, Chinese state media said on Sunday, an apparent sign of goodwill before trade talks in Shanghai this week.

The United States has shipped several million tonnes of soybeans to China since the two countries' leaders met in June, Chinese state media said on Sunday, an apparent sign of goodwill before trade talks in Shanghai this week. The US-China trade war has curbed the export of US crops to China, with soybean sales falling sharply after Beijing slapped tariffs of 25 per cent on American cargoes. China has made enquiries to US suppliers for the purchase of soybeans, cotton, pork sorghum and other agricultural products since July 19, and some sales have been made, state broadcaster CCTV said, citing China's National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce. "As long as the American agricultural products are reasonably priced and of good quality, it is expected that there will be new purchases," the report said. Companies involved in the sales have applied for exclusions to tariffs on agricultural goods with Chinese customs officials, it said. It added that the moves show China's willingness to promote US products and make good on a consensus reached between presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Osaka in June. Chinese and US negotiators are set to meet in Shanghai this week for the first time since the summit, with talks to start on July 30. Earlier this month, the Trump administration said it would exempt a relatively narrow list of 110 Chinese products from tariffs, including medical equipment and key capacitors. China brought in 614,805 tonnes of soybeans from the United States in June, down 2.5 per cent from June 2018 and down 37 per cent from 977,024 tonnes in May, customs data released on Saturday showed. The state media report on Sunday said the United States should "take concrete measures to implement its relevant commitments and create favourable conditions for bilateral economic and trade cooperation".

Millions of tonnes of US soy shipped to China: State media on trade consensus

PM Modi's fist bump with Trump, Abe steals the show at G20

China's President Xi Jinping will attend the G20 summit in Japan next week, state-run Xinhua news agency said on Sunday, giving the first official confirmation of his attendance at a gathering where he is expected to meet US President Donald Trump.

The G20 summit will be held in the city of Osaka on June 27-29. Xinhua did not give further details.

Xi's meeting with Trump could be pivotal to getting negotiations back on track to de-escalate the US-China trade war.

China's President Xi Jinping will attend the G20 summit in Japan next week, state-run Xinhua news agency said on Sunday, giving the first official confirmation of his attendance at a gathering where he is expected to meet US President Donald Trump.

China's President Xi Jinping will attend the G20 summit in Japan next week, state-run Xinhua news agency said on Sunday, giving the first official confirmation of his attendance at a gathering where he is expected to meet US President Donald Trump. The G20 summit will be held in the city of Osaka on June 27-29. Xinhua did not give further details. Xi's meeting with Trump could be pivotal to getting negotiations back on track to de-escalate the US-China trade war.

China's President Xi to attend G20 summit from June 27-29: Report

The United States and China, the world's two largest economies, will see Saturday if they can find a breakthrough to exit a spiraling trade war as their presidents meet at a tense <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-summit-russia-india-china-ric-agree-to-work-on-terrorism-disaster-relief-global-peace-180591">G20 summit.</a>

With markets watching nervously, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/g20-trump-meets-argentine-president-mauricio-macri-discuss-trade-military-ties-180467">US President Donald Trump </a>has described the Buenos Aires summit of the 20 leading economic powers as a deadline for China to meet his demands or risk even further pressure.

The summit itself, with leaders from France, Russia and Saudi Arabia among those attending, has been struggling to carve out any accord on fighting climate change while hot-button disputes such as Ukraine loom large.

Trump, who has already <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-g20-meeting-with-xi-trump-says-billions-of-dollar-pouring-into-us-due-to-tariffs-on-china-180279">slapped $250 billion in tariffs on China</a>, sounded upbeat about making progress with his counterpart Xi Jinping after weeks of dire warnings.

"We're working very hard. If we could make a deal, that would be good," Trump told reporters Friday as he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the first of the summit's two days.

"I think they want to, and I think we'd like to. And we'll see," Trump said.

Trump has thrown out the traditional US playbook on free trade since his shock 2016 election, vowing to protect forgotten workers and put "America First."

Xi has in turn cast himself as a defender of stable global capitalism, a startling transformation for the leader of a communist state whose entry into the World Trade Organization less than two decades ago was controversial.

In a speech to fellow G20 leaders, Xi said that the major economies "should firmly uphold free trade and the rules-based multilateral trading system."

But in a rhetorical olive branch to Trump, Xi pledged to do more to open up China's economy.

"China will continue to deepen market-oriented reform, protect property rights and intellectual property rights, encourage fair competition and do more to expand imports," he said.

Tensions gradually ease&nbsp;

Trump has accused China of rampant theft of US technology and demanded that the emerging power end its requirements that foreign companies team up with local partners.

In the run-up to November 6 congressional elections, Trump ramped up criticism and accused China of interfering domestically to hurt his Republican Party.

But tensions have eased since then, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assuring that the United States is not seeking a new Cold War and US and Chinese trade officials swapping a lengthy list of items up for discussion.

Trump's criticisms of China's trade policy enjoy wide support across the US political spectrum, but some fear that the president has bitten off more than he can chew with a go-it-alone campaign that could damage markets worldwide.

Trump counted a victory Friday for his brash trade stance as the United States, Canada and Mexico signed a new trade deal, a successor to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

While short of a complete rewrite of NAFTA once promised by Trump, he hailed the new United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement as an "incredible milestone."

He secured the support for the new agreement both of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexico's incoming leftist president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

The state-run China Daily said that the Pacific powers could strike a deal in Buenos Aires but warned the United States against pushing too hard on technology.

"Should there be any other aspirations, such as taking advantage of the trade spat to throttle Chinese growth, then an agreement is unlikely to be reached," the newspaper said in an editorial Friday.

"But a good deal means both sides walking away happy. The US should give its habitual winner-take-all approach to international relations the weekend off," it said.

Tensions fill summit&nbsp;

A substantive deal between the United States and China could mark a major feat for the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/international-trade-issues-to-be-first-priority-for-g20-summit-180429"> G20 summit,</a> where expectations for collective action have been low.

With Trump feuding with close US allies, two major summits this year -- the Group of Seven democracies and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum -- ended without once-routine statements.

A French source said that European leaders were trying to forge a statement on climate change even without the United States.&nbsp;

Trump has decided to pull the United States from the Paris accord on curbing carbon emissions, saying it is unfair, despite mounting evidence of the changing climate's dire effects.

Trump called off talks with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-exchanges-high-five-with-saudi-crown-prince-at-g20-summit-180624">Russian President Vladimir Putin </a>at the summit, officially due to outrage over Moscow's naval skirmishes with Ukraine.

But Trump is also under mounting pressure at home in an investigation over whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia a topic sure to dominate his press conference shortly before he meets Xi over dinner.

&nbsp;

The United States and China, the world's two largest economies, will see Saturday if they can find a breakthrough to exit a spiraling trade war as their presidents meet at a tense G20 summit.

The United States and China, the world's two largest economies, will see Saturday if they can find a breakthrough to exit a spiraling trade war as their presidents meet at a tense G20 summit. With markets watching nervously, US President Donald Trump has described the Buenos Aires summit of the 20 leading economic powers as a deadline for China to meet his demands or risk even further pressure. The summit itself, with leaders from France, Russia and Saudi Arabia among those attending, has been struggling to carve out any accord on fighting climate change while hot-button disputes such as Ukraine loom large. Trump, who has already slapped $250 billion in tariffs on China, sounded upbeat about making progress with his counterpart Xi Jinping after weeks of dire warnings. "We're working very hard. If we could make a deal, that would be good," Trump told reporters Friday as he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the first of the summit's two days. "I think they want to, and I think we'd like to. And we'll see," Trump said. Trump has thrown out the traditional US playbook on free trade since his shock 2016 election, vowing to protect forgotten workers and put "America First." Xi has in turn cast himself as a defender of stable global capitalism, a startling transformation for the leader of a communist state whose entry into the World Trade Organization less than two decades ago was controversial. In a speech to fellow G20 leaders, Xi said that the major economies "should firmly uphold free trade and the rules-based multilateral trading system." But in a rhetorical olive branch to Trump, Xi pledged to do more to open up China's economy. "China will continue to deepen market-oriented reform, protect property rights and intellectual property rights, encourage fair competition and do more to expand imports," he said. Tensions gradually ease Trump has accused China of rampant theft of US technology and demanded that the emerging power end its requirements that foreign companies team up with local partners. In the run-up to November 6 congressional elections, Trump ramped up criticism and accused China of interfering domestically to hurt his Republican Party. But tensions have eased since then, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assuring that the United States is not seeking a new Cold War and US and Chinese trade officials swapping a lengthy list of items up for discussion. Trump's criticisms of China's trade policy enjoy wide support across the US political spectrum, but some fear that the president has bitten off more than he can chew with a go-it-alone campaign that could damage markets worldwide. Trump counted a victory Friday for his brash trade stance as the United States, Canada and Mexico signed a new trade deal, a successor to the North American Free Trade Agreement. While short of a complete rewrite of NAFTA once promised by Trump, he hailed the new United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement as an "incredible milestone." He secured the support for the new agreement both of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexico's incoming leftist president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The state-run China Daily said that the Pacific powers could strike a deal in Buenos Aires but warned the United States against pushing too hard on technology. "Should there be any other aspirations, such as taking advantage of the trade spat to throttle Chinese growth, then an agreement is unlikely to be reached," the newspaper said in an editorial Friday. "But a good deal means both sides walking away happy. The US should give its habitual winner-take-all approach to international relations the weekend off," it said. Tensions fill summit A substantive deal between the United States and China could mark a major feat for the G20 summit, where expectations for collective action have been low. With Trump feuding with close US allies, two major summits this year -- the Group of Seven democracies and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum -- ended without once-routine statements. A French source said that European leaders were trying to forge a statement on climate change even without the United States. Trump has decided to pull the United States from the Paris accord on curbing carbon emissions, saying it is unfair, despite mounting evidence of the changing climate's dire effects. Trump called off talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit, officially due to outrage over Moscow's naval skirmishes with Ukraine. But Trump is also under mounting pressure at home in an investigation over whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia a topic sure to dominate his press conference shortly before he meets Xi over dinner.

China, US showdown looms on trade at fractious G20

&nbsp;India expects Saudi Arabia to ramp up investments in several sectors including technology, farm and energy over the next couple of years, a senior Indian official said, after a meeting between Saudi Crown <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-meets-mbs-on-g20-sidelines-discussed-ways-to-boost-india-saudi-economic-ties-180320">Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>.

The two men met on the sidelines of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-summit-a-day-of-trilaterals-for-india-180323">G20 conference</a> in Buenos Aires and agreed to increase economic cooperation.&nbsp;

"We expect that in the next 2 to 3 years there will be significant scaling up of Saudi investments in India," said Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, providing a readout of the meeting.

India expects Saudi Arabia to ramp up investments in several sectors including technology, farm and energy over the next couple of years, a senior Indian official said, after a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India expects Saudi Arabia to ramp up investments in several sectors including technology, farm and energy over the next couple of years, a senior Indian official said, after a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two men met on the sidelines of the G20 conference in Buenos Aires and agreed to increase economic cooperation. "We expect that in the next 2 to 3 years there will be significant scaling up of Saudi investments in India," said Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, providing a readout of the meeting.

Expect significant scaling up of Saudi investments: India

WION EXCLUSIVE: Sanjiv Ranjan, Indian Ambassador to Argentina on G20 Summit

Protesters march as Buenos Aires prepares to host G20 Summit

By Tony Walker

When US President Donald Trump meets his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on the margins of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires between November 30 and December 1, nothing less than a reasonably healthy global trading system and continued economic growth will be on the table.

It is one of the more significant meetings between two global leaders in the modern era.

The encounter will recall the high-wire diplomacy between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s, which signalled the end of the Cold War and, as it happened, the disintegration of the former Soviet Union.

Or, before that, Richard Nixon’s visit to China in 1972, which resulted in the signing of the Shanghai Communique and an end to decades of hostility between the United States and China.

World markets unnerved by an evolving trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies will take their cues from this encounter between an unpredictable US president and a Chinese leader who will not want to be seen to yield ground. Or, to give it an oriental description, lose face.

This is a fractious moment in world economic history.

Billions of dollars in global equity markets will rest on a reasonable consensus in the Argentine capital. The two sides will reach for a compromise that will enable relative stability to be restored to an economic relationship that is threatening to unravel.

Since a ragged outcome, or even failure, is in no-one’s interests, it is hard to believe Washington and Beijing will not seek to calm legitimate concerns about the risks of a full-blown trade war and its impact on global growth.

US-China trade tremors are already having an impact on growth projections for 2018-2020.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund reports the world economy is plateauing, partly due to trade tensions and stresses in emerging markets.

The IMF has scaled back its global growth projections from its July Outlook forecast for 2019 to 3.7 per cent from 3.9 per cent. It has marked down US growth by 0.2 percentage point to 2.5 per cent, and China by a similar margin to 6.2 per cent.

However, if trade disruptions persist, fallout will become more serious in 2020 with global growth projected to be down by 0.8 per cent, and with it US and China growth down significantly.

Trade wars have consequences, including risks of a global recession.

All this invests the Trump-Xi encounter with more-than-usual significance. A bad outcome will heighten risks of an accelerating global slowdown.

In the lead-up to the G20, American and Chinese officials have been preparing the ground, with the Chinese side anxious to reduce tensions following a November 1 phone call between the two presidents.

But it is less clear that Washington is willing to ease pressure on China to liberalise further a foreign investment environment, seek ways to reduce a trade gap and make more conspicuous efforts to tone down concerns about Chinese pilfering of its intellectual property.

In a media briefing in Beijing, Chinese officials underscored China’s desire for a reasonable outcome in Buenos Aires. Wang Shouwen, a vice commerce minister, said:

"We hope China and the US are able to resolve their problems based on mutual respect, benefits and honesty."

However, Trump is continuing to threaten further increases in tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports now set at 10 per cent but due to increase to 25 per cent from January 1. He told The Wall Street Journal this week:

"The only deal would be China has to open up their country to competition from the United States."

Trump also threatened to slap tariffs on an additional $267 billion worth of Chinese imports if negotiations with Xi are unsuccessful:

"If we don’t make a deal, then I’m going to put the $267 billion additional on (at a tariff rate of either 10 per cent or 25 per cent)."

This next batch of Chinese imports might include laptops and Apple iPhones, which are among China’s biggest exports to the US.

Further complicating the possibility of a satisfactory negotiation in Buenos Aires is a lingering dispute between the US and China over reforms to the World Trade Organisation to strengthen its dispute resolution and appeal mechanisms.

The US also objects to China’s continued description as a “developing country” under WTO rules. This includes provisions that are favourable to Chinese state-owned enterprises.

A collapse in efforts to reform the WTO would strike another blow at a multilateral trading system that is under more stress than at any time since globalisation gathered pace in the 1990s.

The US-China trade conflict, which is threatening to become a full-blown trade war with unpredictable consequences, cannot be separated from a more general deterioration in relations.

These were given expression last month by Vice President Mike Pence in a speech to the Hudson Institute, in which he lambasted China in a way that prompted talk of a new cold war.

Pence accused China of deploying: "… an arsenal of policies inconsistent with free and fair trade, including tariffs, quotas, currency manipulation, forced technology transfers, intellectual property theft and industrial subsidies handed out like candy. These policies have built Beijing’s manufacturing base, at the expense of its competitors – especially the United States."

The US trade deficit with China reached $375 billion last year – nearly half the US global trade deficit.

None of this augurs well for a constructive resolution of US-China differences at the G20, although you might hope Trump’s approach would be tempered by concerns about the economic consequences of a conspicuous failure.

What seems most likely, given the stakes involved, is for officials from both countries to be tasked with responsibility for addressing a range of American concerns, with the aim of resetting the relationship.

This would seem to be a best-case scenario.

In the meantime, officials working on the draft of a final communique will be struggling to satisfy competing demands from G20 participants for clear-cut statements on protectionism and climate change.

These have been staples of such communiques since the G20 was formed ten years ago amid a global financial crisis.

Washington is reportedly resisting an explicit call to fight protectionism. It is also demanding a watering down of the G20’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Consensus on these issues is proving elusive, further undermining efforts to address global challenges.

This underscores a dramatic shift in the global geopolitical environment since Trump gained office.

At the 2016 G20 summit in Hangzhou, world leaders agreed on a “rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation playing the central role in today’s global trade”.

On climate, the G20 committed itself “to complete our respective domestic procedures in order to join the Paris Agreement”.

Two years later, a “rules-based” trading system is being shredded and the Paris Agreement is at risk of unravelling. These are troubled times, not helped by an American pullback from the stabilising role in global affairs it has played since the second world war. 
 
(Tony Walker is Adjunct Professor, School of Communications, La Trobe University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/much-at-stake-as-donald-trump-and-xi-jinping-meet-at-g20-106774">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Tony Walker When US President Donald Trump meets his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on the margins of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires between November 30 and December 1, nothing less than a reasonably healthy global trading system and continued economic growth will be on the table.

By Tony Walker When US President Donald Trump meets his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on the margins of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires between November 30 and December 1, nothing less than a reasonably healthy global trading system and continued economic growth will be on the table. It is one of the more significant meetings between two global leaders in the modern era. The encounter will recall the high-wire diplomacy between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s, which signalled the end of the Cold War and, as it happened, the disintegration of the former Soviet Union. Or, before that, Richard Nixon’s visit to China in 1972, which resulted in the signing of the Shanghai Communique and an end to decades of hostility between the United States and China. World markets unnerved by an evolving trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies will take their cues from this encounter between an unpredictable US president and a Chinese leader who will not want to be seen to yield ground. Or, to give it an oriental description, lose face. This is a fractious moment in world economic history. Billions of dollars in global equity markets will rest on a reasonable consensus in the Argentine capital. The two sides will reach for a compromise that will enable relative stability to be restored to an economic relationship that is threatening to unravel. Since a ragged outcome, or even failure, is in no-one’s interests, it is hard to believe Washington and Beijing will not seek to calm legitimate concerns about the risks of a full-blown trade war and its impact on global growth. US-China trade tremors are already having an impact on growth projections for 2018-2020. In its latest World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund reports the world economy is plateauing, partly due to trade tensions and stresses in emerging markets. The IMF has scaled back its global growth projections from its July Outlook forecast for 2019 to 3.7 per cent from 3.9 per cent. It has marked down US growth by 0.2 percentage point to 2.5 per cent, and China by a similar margin to 6.2 per cent. However, if trade disruptions persist, fallout will become more serious in 2020 with global growth projected to be down by 0.8 per cent, and with it US and China growth down significantly. Trade wars have consequences, including risks of a global recession. All this invests the Trump-Xi encounter with more-than-usual significance. A bad outcome will heighten risks of an accelerating global slowdown. In the lead-up to the G20, American and Chinese officials have been preparing the ground, with the Chinese side anxious to reduce tensions following a November 1 phone call between the two presidents. But it is less clear that Washington is willing to ease pressure on China to liberalise further a foreign investment environment, seek ways to reduce a trade gap and make more conspicuous efforts to tone down concerns about Chinese pilfering of its intellectual property. In a media briefing in Beijing, Chinese officials underscored China’s desire for a reasonable outcome in Buenos Aires. Wang Shouwen, a vice commerce minister, said: "We hope China and the US are able to resolve their problems based on mutual respect, benefits and honesty." However, Trump is continuing to threaten further increases in tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports now set at 10 per cent but due to increase to 25 per cent from January 1. He told The Wall Street Journal this week: "The only deal would be China has to open up their country to competition from the United States." Trump also threatened to slap tariffs on an additional $267 billion worth of Chinese imports if negotiations with Xi are unsuccessful: "If we don’t make a deal, then I’m going to put the $267 billion additional on (at a tariff rate of either 10 per cent or 25 per cent)." This next batch of Chinese imports might include laptops and Apple iPhones, which are among China’s biggest exports to the US. Further complicating the possibility of a satisfactory negotiation in Buenos Aires is a lingering dispute between the US and China over reforms to the World Trade Organisation to strengthen its dispute resolution and appeal mechanisms. The US also objects to China’s continued description as a “developing country” under WTO rules. This includes provisions that are favourable to Chinese state-owned enterprises. A collapse in efforts to reform the WTO would strike another blow at a multilateral trading system that is under more stress than at any time since globalisation gathered pace in the 1990s. The US-China trade conflict, which is threatening to become a full-blown trade war with unpredictable consequences, cannot be separated from a more general deterioration in relations. These were given expression last month by Vice President Mike Pence in a speech to the Hudson Institute, in which he lambasted China in a way that prompted talk of a new cold war. Pence accused China of deploying: "… an arsenal of policies inconsistent with free and fair trade, including tariffs, quotas, currency manipulation, forced technology transfers, intellectual property theft and industrial subsidies handed out like candy. These policies have built Beijing’s manufacturing base, at the expense of its competitors – especially the United States." The US trade deficit with China reached $375 billion last year – nearly half the US global trade deficit. None of this augurs well for a constructive resolution of US-China differences at the G20, although you might hope Trump’s approach would be tempered by concerns about the economic consequences of a conspicuous failure. What seems most likely, given the stakes involved, is for officials from both countries to be tasked with responsibility for addressing a range of American concerns, with the aim of resetting the relationship. This would seem to be a best-case scenario. In the meantime, officials working on the draft of a final communique will be struggling to satisfy competing demands from G20 participants for clear-cut statements on protectionism and climate change. These have been staples of such communiques since the G20 was formed ten years ago amid a global financial crisis. Washington is reportedly resisting an explicit call to fight protectionism. It is also demanding a watering down of the G20’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change. Consensus on these issues is proving elusive, further undermining efforts to address global challenges. This underscores a dramatic shift in the global geopolitical environment since Trump gained office. At the 2016 G20 summit in Hangzhou, world leaders agreed on a “rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation playing the central role in today’s global trade”. On climate, the G20 committed itself “to complete our respective domestic procedures in order to join the Paris Agreement”. Two years later, a “rules-based” trading system is being shredded and the Paris Agreement is at risk of unravelling. These are troubled times, not helped by an American pullback from the stabilising role in global affairs it has played since the second world war. (Tony Walker is Adjunct Professor, School of Communications, La Trobe University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Much at stake as Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet at G20

WION Gravitas: What to expect at the G-20 Summit

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G 20 Summit, News on G 20 Summit, stories on G 20 Summit, articles on G 20 Summit, G 20 Summit stories at Wion, G 20 Summit news, G 20 Summit latest news

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