WION World Order: Centre Stage Osaka- Spotlight G20

PM Modi today addressed the Indian diaspora in Kobe, Japan ahead of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-summit-pm-modi-to-meet-trump-and-attend-two-trilateral-meetings-on-friday-230703">the G20 summit in Osaka</a>.

The Indian prime minister expressed his happiness over coming to Japan after seven months&nbsp;as he told the crowd that PM Shinzo Abe is a "good friend". "I am humbled by your support," the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-summit-to-discuss-progress-in-tackling-terrorism-climate-change-pm-modi-230700">Indian prime minister said</a>.

"I'm fortunate to be here once again after seven&nbsp;months. It's a coincidence that last time I was here, election results were held&nbsp;here and you had shown trust in my dear friend Shinzo Abe. Today when I'm here and the largest democracy has shown even greater trust in this 'Pradhan Sevak'."

"I stand before you as PM with a greater mandate, India has reposed its faith in me," he said.

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"130 core people have formed a "mazboot sarkar"(strong government)," the prime minister asserted.

"It is a victory of truth and democracy," PM Modi said, adding, "dedication to democratic values led to victory."

"The nation gave pro-incumbency mandate after 1971," he told the Indian diaspora.&nbsp;"This is big. After three decades, for the first time, a government with a clear majority formed a government for the second time in a row."

"Sabka saath, sabka vikas is our mantra," the PM said. "Indian democracy inspires others in the world."

"Japan helping India to become $5 trillion economy," the Indian prime minister said. "From making a car, India and Japan are now cooperating to make bullet trains," he said.

PM Modi told the crowd that he would work towards ensuring global trust on India.

"Besides Delhi and Ahmedabad, I had the opportunity to take PM Abe to Varanasi. He visited my parliamentary constituency and participated in the Ganga aarti there. Whenever he got the opportunity, he spoke of this divine experience."

"After I became PM in 2014, I got an opportunity to strengthen India-Japan friendship, together with my friend PM Shinzo Abe. We took our diplomatic relations beyond the purview of capitals and ambassadors and took them directly among the public," he said.

"India, Japan ties will&nbsp;become stronger in 'New India',"&nbsp;PM Modi told the Indian community in Kobe.

"We managed Cyclone Fani with minimum damage and the world praised that government machinery, human resource and space technology can be used to perform well," he said.

"Also, we'll launch Chandrayaan-2 in a few months and by 2022 we're planning to launch India's maiden human spaceflight program-Gaganyaan," he informed the Indian community gathered at the Hyogo Prefecture guest house in Kobe.

PM Modi today addressed the Indian diaspora in Kobe, Japan ahead of the G20 summit in Osaka. The Indian prime minister expressed his happiness over coming to Japan after seven months as he told the crowd that PM Shinzo Abe is a "good friend".

PM Modi today addressed the Indian diaspora in Kobe, Japan ahead of the G20 summit in Osaka. The Indian prime minister expressed his happiness over coming to Japan after seven months as he told the crowd that PM Shinzo Abe is a "good friend". "I am humbled by your support," the Indian prime minister said. "I'm fortunate to be here once again after seven months. It's a coincidence that last time I was here, election results were held here and you had shown trust in my dear friend Shinzo Abe. Today when I'm here and the largest democracy has shown even greater trust in this 'Pradhan Sevak'." "I stand before you as PM with a greater mandate, India has reposed its faith in me," he said. #WATCH live from Japan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a community event at the Hyogo Prefecture Guest House in Kobe. https://t.co/j74qRF8v5F — ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2019 × "130 core people have formed a "mazboot sarkar"(strong government)," the prime minister asserted. "It is a victory of truth and democracy," PM Modi said, adding, "dedication to democratic values led to victory." "The nation gave pro-incumbency mandate after 1971," he told the Indian diaspora. "This is big. After three decades, for the first time, a government with a clear majority formed a government for the second time in a row." "Sabka saath, sabka vikas is our mantra," the PM said. "Indian democracy inspires others in the world." "Japan helping India to become $5 trillion economy," the Indian prime minister said. "From making a car, India and Japan are now cooperating to make bullet trains," he said. PM Modi told the crowd that he would work towards ensuring global trust on India. "Besides Delhi and Ahmedabad, I had the opportunity to take PM Abe to Varanasi. He visited my parliamentary constituency and participated in the Ganga aarti there. Whenever he got the opportunity, he spoke of this divine experience." "After I became PM in 2014, I got an opportunity to strengthen India-Japan friendship, together with my friend PM Shinzo Abe. We took our diplomatic relations beyond the purview of capitals and ambassadors and took them directly among the public," he said. "India, Japan ties will become stronger in 'New India'," PM Modi told the Indian community in Kobe. "We managed Cyclone Fani with minimum damage and the world praised that government machinery, human resource and space technology can be used to perform well," he said. "Also, we'll launch Chandrayaan-2 in a few months and by 2022 we're planning to launch India's maiden human spaceflight program-Gaganyaan," he informed the Indian community gathered at the Hyogo Prefecture guest house in Kobe.

Japan helping India to become $5 trillion economy: PM Modi to Indian diaspora

G20 negotiators are wrangling over the wording of a summit communique on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-g20-agreement-if-paris-climate-change-not-mentioned-macron-230595">combatting climate change</a>, with the United States pushing to downgrade the language against European opposition, according to sources and drafts of the text.&nbsp;

The arguments are a reprise of tussles over global warming that have stymied talks in multilateral forums since US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a landmark agreement to limit the effects of climate change.&nbsp;

The latest draft, seen by Reuters, includes language supporting implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement, and saying the accord signed by 200 nations is "irreversible".&nbsp;

An earlier draft, also seen by Reuters, did not include such language at the insistence of the United States, two sources familiar with the discussions over the communique told Reuters.&nbsp;

Further changes to the communique are likely before the final adoption of the text on Saturday by Group of 20 leaders in Osaka for this week's summit, but the inclusion of stronger language came as French President Emmanuel Macron said France will not accept a text that does not mention the Paris agreement.&nbsp;

"If we don't talk about the Paris Agreement and if we don`t get an agreement on it amongst the 20 members in the room, we are no longer capable of defending our climate change goals and France will not be part of this," he said in Tokyo on Wednesday before heading to Osaka.&nbsp;

France was one of the main drivers behind the Paris accord and the French parliament is now debating an energy bill that targets net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.&nbsp;

"Negotiations on the topic of climate will be especially difficult this time," a German government official said on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Nations in Paris agreed to limit the global average rise from pre-industrial temperatures to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).&nbsp;

Current policies, though, put the world on track for at least a 3C rise by the end of the century, according to a United Nations report in 2016.&nbsp;

Investors managing more than $34 trillion in assets, nearly half the world`s invested capital, piled pressure on G20 leaders on Wednesday, demanding urgent action from governments on climate change.&nbsp;

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday also urged G20 countries to back more ambitious climate goals, among other international initiatives.&nbsp;

Summit host Japan has been criticized for backing the continued use of coal for power generation, one of the biggest sources of gas emissions that cause global warming.&nbsp;

G20 leaders will meet on Friday and Saturday.&nbsp;

G20 negotiators are wrangling over the wording of a summit communique on combatting climate change, with the United States pushing to downgrade the language against European opposition, according to sources and drafts of the text.

G20 negotiators are wrangling over the wording of a summit communique on combatting climate change, with the United States pushing to downgrade the language against European opposition, according to sources and drafts of the text. The arguments are a reprise of tussles over global warming that have stymied talks in multilateral forums since US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a landmark agreement to limit the effects of climate change. The latest draft, seen by Reuters, includes language supporting implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement, and saying the accord signed by 200 nations is "irreversible". An earlier draft, also seen by Reuters, did not include such language at the insistence of the United States, two sources familiar with the discussions over the communique told Reuters. Further changes to the communique are likely before the final adoption of the text on Saturday by Group of 20 leaders in Osaka for this week's summit, but the inclusion of stronger language came as French President Emmanuel Macron said France will not accept a text that does not mention the Paris agreement. "If we don't talk about the Paris Agreement and if we don`t get an agreement on it amongst the 20 members in the room, we are no longer capable of defending our climate change goals and France will not be part of this," he said in Tokyo on Wednesday before heading to Osaka. France was one of the main drivers behind the Paris accord and the French parliament is now debating an energy bill that targets net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. "Negotiations on the topic of climate will be especially difficult this time," a German government official said on Wednesday. Nations in Paris agreed to limit the global average rise from pre-industrial temperatures to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Current policies, though, put the world on track for at least a 3C rise by the end of the century, according to a United Nations report in 2016. Investors managing more than $34 trillion in assets, nearly half the world`s invested capital, piled pressure on G20 leaders on Wednesday, demanding urgent action from governments on climate change. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday also urged G20 countries to back more ambitious climate goals, among other international initiatives. Summit host Japan has been criticized for backing the continued use of coal for power generation, one of the biggest sources of gas emissions that cause global warming. G20 leaders will meet on Friday and Saturday.

G20 members at odds over climate change for summit meeting: Sources

Indian Prime Minister met his Japanese couterpart Shinzo Abe in Osaka on Thursday in his first bilateral on the sidelines of the 14th G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan.&nbsp;

This is Modi's first meeting with the Japanese PM in his second term.&nbsp;

PM Modi thanked Abe for calling him and congratulating him after his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-meets-japan-pm-in-his-first-bilateral-summit-g20-sidelines-230752">election victory on May 23</a> and said "Shinzo Abe was the first friend to congratulate me. I would like to thank PM Abe for this."

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On the G20 summit whose presidency is currently with Japan, PM said, "Your work as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-summit-pm-modi-to-meet-trump-and-attend-two-trilateral-meetings-on-friday-230703">G20 chairman is appreciable</a> and congratulatory."&nbsp;

PM congratulated people of Japan and Japanese PM for the new Reiwa era.&nbsp;

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Expanding the strategic template of our relationship 
​ 
PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> met Japanese PM <a href="https://twitter.com/AbeShinzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AbeShinzo</a> ahead of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G20Summit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G20Summit</a>. Discussed broad range of topics of mutual interest. PM said that he was looking forward to visit of PM Abe to India later this year for the Annual Summit. <a href="https://t.co/q07u4i68yu">pic.twitter.com/q07u4i68yu</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1144114496593522688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Reiwa era began on 1st May 2019 when Emperor Akihito's eldest son, Naruhito, ascended the throne as the 126th Emperor of Japan.&nbsp;

President Ram Nath Kovind will represent India at the enthronement ceremony of Naruhito as emperor of Japan on October 22, 2019. Japanese Emperor Akihito abdicated the Throne on 30 April 2019.&nbsp;

India-Japan 2+2 dialogue between defence and foreign ministers will take place later this year, ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's India visit for the India-Japan Annual Summit that alternates its location between India and Japan. This is the second time India engaging with any country in this format.

During the meet, both sides discussed connectivity, Indo-Pacific and country infrastructure projects.

"Connectivity issue was touched upon. First was Act-East Forum, both agreed on joint operations in countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Indo-Pacific is essentially a connectivity issue. The seamless connectivity of two major oceans", Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said in a press conference later.&nbsp;

The bullet train project and a convention centre in Varanasi were also discussed.

"Lot of personal chemistry between PM Modi and Japanese PM Abe and they are more like friends. They are very close, very frank and have very open discussions and they are very helpful to each other.", Indian envoy to Japan Sanjay Kumar Verma told WION.

PM arrived in Japan on a three-day visit on Thursday morning and was received by Japanese parliamentary vice minister for foreign affairs Kenzi Yamada and mayor of Osaka city at Kansai Airport. On his arrival, he tweeted, "Reached Osaka to join the #G20 Summit. Grateful to the dynamic Indian community for the warm welcome!".

Indian Prime Minister met his Japanese couterpart Shinzo Abe in Osaka on Thursday in his first bilateral on the sidelines of the 14th G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan.

Indian Prime Minister met his Japanese couterpart Shinzo Abe in Osaka on Thursday in his first bilateral on the sidelines of the 14th G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan. This is Modi's first meeting with the Japanese PM in his second term. PM Modi thanked Abe for calling him and congratulating him after his election victory on May 23 and said "Shinzo Abe was the first friend to congratulate me. I would like to thank PM Abe for this." × On the G20 summit whose presidency is currently with Japan, PM said, "Your work as G20 chairman is appreciable and congratulatory." PM congratulated people of Japan and Japanese PM for the new Reiwa era. Expanding the strategic template of our relationship PM @narendramodi met Japanese PM @AbeShinzo ahead of the #G20Summit. Discussed broad range of topics of mutual interest. PM said that he was looking forward to visit of PM Abe to India later this year for the Annual Summit. pic.twitter.com/q07u4i68yu — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) June 27, 2019 × Reiwa era began on 1st May 2019 when Emperor Akihito's eldest son, Naruhito, ascended the throne as the 126th Emperor of Japan. President Ram Nath Kovind will represent India at the enthronement ceremony of Naruhito as emperor of Japan on October 22, 2019. Japanese Emperor Akihito abdicated the Throne on 30 April 2019. India-Japan 2+2 dialogue between defence and foreign ministers will take place later this year, ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's India visit for the India-Japan Annual Summit that alternates its location between India and Japan. This is the second time India engaging with any country in this format. During the meet, both sides discussed connectivity, Indo-Pacific and country infrastructure projects. "Connectivity issue was touched upon. First was Act-East Forum, both agreed on joint operations in countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Indo-Pacific is essentially a connectivity issue. The seamless connectivity of two major oceans", Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said in a press conference later. The bullet train project and a convention centre in Varanasi were also discussed. "Lot of personal chemistry between PM Modi and Japanese PM Abe and they are more like friends. They are very close, very frank and have very open discussions and they are very helpful to each other.", Indian envoy to Japan Sanjay Kumar Verma told WION. PM arrived in Japan on a three-day visit on Thursday morning and was received by Japanese parliamentary vice minister for foreign affairs Kenzi Yamada and mayor of Osaka city at Kansai Airport. On his arrival, he tweeted, "Reached Osaka to join the #G20 Summit. Grateful to the dynamic Indian community for the warm welcome!".

PM Modi meets Japan's Abe in his first bilateral summit on G20 sidelines  

More than a thousand protesters marched to major foreign consulates on Wednesday calling on leaders at the upcoming G20 summit to raise the plight of Hong Kong with China and to support the full scrapping of a controversial extradition bill.

Holding placards including "Please Liberate Hong Kong" and chanting "Help Hong Kong", the demonstrators, some wearing masks, marched to a succession of consulates represented at the Group of 20 major economies summit in Japan's Osaka this weekend.

Over the past three weeks, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-will-not-allow-hong-kong-issue-to-be-discussed-at-g20-summit-229878">millions of Hong Kong people have protested against an extradition bill </a>that would have allowed individuals, including foreigners, to be extradited to mainland China to face trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party.

Hong Kong's Beijing-appointed leader Carrie Lam, eventually caved in after some of the worst violence seen in decades on the city's streets, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets.

But Lam stopped short of protester demands to scrap the bill altogether, saying it would be suspended indefinitely.

"As long as the government doesn't withdraw the bill, and they refuse to respond, then we will keep on fighting," said Aslee Tam, a 19-year-old university student in the march.

"We want to make some noise during the G20 meeting, to let other countries discuss the issues in Hong Kong."

At the US consulate, protesters handed over a petition asking president Donald Trump to "Back Hong Kong at the G20 Summit". They urged Trump to raise Hong Kong with China's leader Xi Jinping, and to support a full withdrawal of the extradition bill and to set up an independent investigation into Hong Kong police brutality against protesters.

The protesters, some wearing "Liberate Hong Kong" T-shirts, also marched to the British consulate where their petition was received by a senior diplomat. Britain's Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt told parliament on Tuesday that London would ban sales of tear gas to Hong Kong and called for an independent probe into the recent violence.

The raising of Hong Kong's extradition saga could prove to be an embarrassment for China's leader Xi, at a delicate time of rising trade tensions with the United States, and pile further pressure on Hong Kong's leader amid reports Beijing now harbours serious doubts about her capabilities.

An assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Zhang Jun said earlier this week that China won't allow Hong Kong to be discussed at the G20.

But Hong Kong activists have raised more than HK$5 million ($640,606) in a crowdfunding campaign to take out newspaper ads in major foreign media like the New York Times in a bid to raise awareness of Hong Kong's plight at the G20. Some Hong Kong activists have also travelled to Osaka.

More than a thousand protesters marched to major foreign consulates on Wednesday calling on leaders at the upcoming G20 summit to raise the plight of Hong Kong with China and to support the full scrapping of a controversial extradition bill.

More than a thousand protesters marched to major foreign consulates on Wednesday calling on leaders at the upcoming G20 summit to raise the plight of Hong Kong with China and to support the full scrapping of a controversial extradition bill. Holding placards including "Please Liberate Hong Kong" and chanting "Help Hong Kong", the demonstrators, some wearing masks, marched to a succession of consulates represented at the Group of 20 major economies summit in Japan's Osaka this weekend. Over the past three weeks, millions of Hong Kong people have protested against an extradition bill that would have allowed individuals, including foreigners, to be extradited to mainland China to face trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party. Hong Kong's Beijing-appointed leader Carrie Lam, eventually caved in after some of the worst violence seen in decades on the city's streets, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets. But Lam stopped short of protester demands to scrap the bill altogether, saying it would be suspended indefinitely. "As long as the government doesn't withdraw the bill, and they refuse to respond, then we will keep on fighting," said Aslee Tam, a 19-year-old university student in the march. "We want to make some noise during the G20 meeting, to let other countries discuss the issues in Hong Kong." At the US consulate, protesters handed over a petition asking president Donald Trump to "Back Hong Kong at the G20 Summit". They urged Trump to raise Hong Kong with China's leader Xi Jinping, and to support a full withdrawal of the extradition bill and to set up an independent investigation into Hong Kong police brutality against protesters. The protesters, some wearing "Liberate Hong Kong" T-shirts, also marched to the British consulate where their petition was received by a senior diplomat. Britain's Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt told parliament on Tuesday that London would ban sales of tear gas to Hong Kong and called for an independent probe into the recent violence. The raising of Hong Kong's extradition saga could prove to be an embarrassment for China's leader Xi, at a delicate time of rising trade tensions with the United States, and pile further pressure on Hong Kong's leader amid reports Beijing now harbours serious doubts about her capabilities. An assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Zhang Jun said earlier this week that China won't allow Hong Kong to be discussed at the G20. But Hong Kong activists have raised more than HK$5 million ($640,606) in a crowdfunding campaign to take out newspaper ads in major foreign media like the New York Times in a bid to raise awareness of Hong Kong's plight at the G20. Some Hong Kong activists have also travelled to Osaka.

Hong Kong activists call on G20 leaders to help 'liberate' city

Global trade, geopolitical hotspots around the world and even horse-trading over top EU jobs, G20 leaders have a lot of their plate when they meet from Friday in Osaka.

Here are some of the most pressing issues facing the leaders at the two-day meeting, with the decisive action likely to take place mainly on the sidelines and away from the formal programme.

&nbsp;'Tariffs and trade'

All eyes will be on whether the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-hopes-to-re-launch-china-trade-talks-will-not-accept-conditions-on-tariffs-230453">US and China,</a> the world's top two economies, can bury the hatchet in their long-running trade war that is causing headwinds for an already fragile global economy.

The two leaders, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, will hold talks on the sidelines of the Osaka summit, their first face-to-face meeting since December at the last G20 in Argentina.

Experts are sceptical that a definitive deal will be struck in Japan, but many believe they may agree on a tariff truce and set a new deadline for a final agreement.

Trade will also feature heavily as a point of conflict in the wider G20 meeting with battles likely over the wording of the final statement -- if the leaders can agree to one.

A G20 finance ministers meeting earlier this month noted in a communique that trade tensions had "intensified" and that risks were "tilted to the downside", but even this statement took 30 hours of hard-fought wrangling.

Letter from Pyongyang

Relations between the United States and North Korea have been in the freezer since a summit in Hanoi in February failed to achieve progress on Pyongyang's nuclear programme.

But a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-visit-south-korea-as-pompeo-raises-hope-for-new-north-korea-talks-after-letter-230158">recent exchange of letters between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a> has raised hopes that a third summit could be on the cards, and the US president is travelling to South Korea immediately after the G20.

In this matter too, Xi plays a key role. He will arrive in Osaka fresh from his first visit to Pyongyang and observers expect the Chinese president to pass on a message from Kim to rekindle diplomatic activity.

Some believe the two issues of trade and North Korea could dovetail, with Trump needing Xi's help to solve the nuclear issue that he has trumpeted as a major foreign policy triumph.

Iranian powder keg

With key regional players such as the United States, Saudi Arabia and Russia in attendance, the mounting tensions with Iran are certain to be a hot topic of conversation on the sidelines of the meeting.

The G20 host, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, sought to play a mediation role with a historic trip to Tehran, but this was overshadowed by two attacks on tankers in the Gulf of Oman that Washington blames on Iran.

At the last moment, Trump called off a planned military retaliation for the downing of an unmanned US drone, saying that the estimated death toll of 150 was not proportionate.

Trump trumps everything

Despite hosts Japan desperately trying to focus media attention on its priority issues such as ocean plastic and ageing populations, the US leader's meetings on the sidelines are likely to overshadow everything -- especially planned talks with Russia and Turkey.

Trump is expected to meet Vladimir Putin for face-to-face talks for the first time since July 2018 in Helsinki, where he was attacked for being too conciliatory to the Kremlin strongman amid accusations of Russian meddling in the US election.

Turkey's leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, fresh from a humiliating defeat in a re-run election in Istanbul's mayoral election, is hoping to use good relations with Trump to defuse a row between the NATO allies over Ankara's purchase of Russian missiles.

The US has given Turkey until the end of July to renounce its deal with Moscow for the S-400 missiles or face sanctions, an ultimatum that Ankara has slammed as "inappropriate".

'Brussels horse-trading'

After failing to stitch up a deal for the successor to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at a summit on Friday, EU leaders have kicked the can down the road to a special meeting in Brussels on June 30.

This happens to be the day after the G20, so most observers expect the senior EU players from Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands to continue the horse-trading in Japan -- although any final deal will have to wait until European soil.

Global trade, geopolitical hotspots around the world and even horse-trading over top EU jobs, G20 leaders have a lot of their plate when they meet from Friday in Osaka.

Global trade, geopolitical hotspots around the world and even horse-trading over top EU jobs, G20 leaders have a lot of their plate when they meet from Friday in Osaka. Here are some of the most pressing issues facing the leaders at the two-day meeting, with the decisive action likely to take place mainly on the sidelines and away from the formal programme. 'Tariffs and trade' All eyes will be on whether the US and China, the world's top two economies, can bury the hatchet in their long-running trade war that is causing headwinds for an already fragile global economy. The two leaders, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, will hold talks on the sidelines of the Osaka summit, their first face-to-face meeting since December at the last G20 in Argentina. Experts are sceptical that a definitive deal will be struck in Japan, but many believe they may agree on a tariff truce and set a new deadline for a final agreement. Trade will also feature heavily as a point of conflict in the wider G20 meeting with battles likely over the wording of the final statement -- if the leaders can agree to one. A G20 finance ministers meeting earlier this month noted in a communique that trade tensions had "intensified" and that risks were "tilted to the downside", but even this statement took 30 hours of hard-fought wrangling. Letter from Pyongyang Relations between the United States and North Korea have been in the freezer since a summit in Hanoi in February failed to achieve progress on Pyongyang's nuclear programme. But a recent exchange of letters between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has raised hopes that a third summit could be on the cards, and the US president is travelling to South Korea immediately after the G20. In this matter too, Xi plays a key role. He will arrive in Osaka fresh from his first visit to Pyongyang and observers expect the Chinese president to pass on a message from Kim to rekindle diplomatic activity. Some believe the two issues of trade and North Korea could dovetail, with Trump needing Xi's help to solve the nuclear issue that he has trumpeted as a major foreign policy triumph. Iranian powder keg With key regional players such as the United States, Saudi Arabia and Russia in attendance, the mounting tensions with Iran are certain to be a hot topic of conversation on the sidelines of the meeting. The G20 host, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, sought to play a mediation role with a historic trip to Tehran, but this was overshadowed by two attacks on tankers in the Gulf of Oman that Washington blames on Iran. At the last moment, Trump called off a planned military retaliation for the downing of an unmanned US drone, saying that the estimated death toll of 150 was not proportionate. Trump trumps everything Despite hosts Japan desperately trying to focus media attention on its priority issues such as ocean plastic and ageing populations, the US leader's meetings on the sidelines are likely to overshadow everything -- especially planned talks with Russia and Turkey. Trump is expected to meet Vladimir Putin for face-to-face talks for the first time since July 2018 in Helsinki, where he was attacked for being too conciliatory to the Kremlin strongman amid accusations of Russian meddling in the US election. Turkey's leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, fresh from a humiliating defeat in a re-run election in Istanbul's mayoral election, is hoping to use good relations with Trump to defuse a row between the NATO allies over Ankara's purchase of Russian missiles. The US has given Turkey until the end of July to renounce its deal with Moscow for the S-400 missiles or face sanctions, an ultimatum that Ankara has slammed as "inappropriate". 'Brussels horse-trading' After failing to stitch up a deal for the successor to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at a summit on Friday, EU leaders have kicked the can down the road to a special meeting in Brussels on June 30. This happens to be the day after the G20, so most observers expect the senior EU players from Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands to continue the horse-trading in Japan -- although any final deal will have to wait until European soil.

Trade and horsetrade: Top five hot-button G20 issues

Indian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-leave-for-g20-summit-today-first-bilateral-meeting-with-japan-pm-shinzo-abe-230584">PM Modi's first bilateral</a> on the sidelines of G20 Summit will be with Japanese Prime minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday in Osaka. Indian envoy to Japan Sanjay Kumar Verma spoke to WION on what to expect from the meet and India's role at the G20 grouping.

WION: What can be expected from PM Modi's bilateral with the Japanese PM?

Sanjay Kumar Verma: Today India-Japan relationship is at historical best and if you look at the chemistry between any two leaders, there could not be anything better than what PM Modi and Japan PM Shinzo Abe have. If we look at the Japanese contribution, in foreign policy goals, then each and every element we look at both countries are complementary to each other. This plays a huge role in taking the relationship forward, from economy to skill development to smart city and digital, anything you look at it compliments.

WION: And Japanese PM will be visiting India this year for the annual summit?

Sanjay Kumar Verma: Yes, last year PM Modi was in Japan for the summit, so this year, its turn of PM Abe to go to India.

WION: Both are now working on the third country projects, like in Sri Lanka?

Sanjay Kumar Verma: Yes, the third country projects are extremely important between the two countries and that was agreed upon by the two prime ministers in the last meeting which took place in Tokyo last year.&nbsp;

That has been taken forward. It plugs very well with India's Act East policy and Japan's own policy of engaging India for third country projects. So Japan is engaged in India for projects, for example, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed railway, dedicated freight corridor, metro projects in large infrastructure projects and now we want to go to other countries and it will start in the vicinity of India.

WION: You also spoke about the personal chemistry, we saw the Japan PM hosting PM Modi at his residence.

Sanjay Kumar Verma: You know getting a leader from another country to Japanese PM's own residence was a first. Therefore that tells you a lot about what is the personal chemistry between PM Modi and Japanese PM Abe and how much trust exists between them, they are more like friends. They very close, very frank and have very open discussions and they are very helpful towards each other.

WION: How is India playing a leadership role at G20?

Sanjay Kumar Verma: India has been playing a very key role at the G20 outcomes, from digital partnership to climate change to financial architecture and counter-terrorism. Also in trade multilateralism, India is a key player globally. India has been able to shape global opinions and has led the way in out-of-box thinking.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Indian PM Modi's first bilateral on the sidelines of G20 Summit will be with Japanese Prime minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday in Osaka. Indian envoy to Japan Sanjay Kumar Verma spoke to WION on what to expect from the meet and India's role at the G20 grouping.

Indian PM Modi's first bilateral on the sidelines of G20 Summit will be with Japanese Prime minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday in Osaka. Indian envoy to Japan Sanjay Kumar Verma spoke to WION on what to expect from the meet and India's role at the G20 grouping. WION: What can be expected from PM Modi's bilateral with the Japanese PM? Sanjay Kumar Verma: Today India-Japan relationship is at historical best and if you look at the chemistry between any two leaders, there could not be anything better than what PM Modi and Japan PM Shinzo Abe have. If we look at the Japanese contribution, in foreign policy goals, then each and every element we look at both countries are complementary to each other. This plays a huge role in taking the relationship forward, from economy to skill development to smart city and digital, anything you look at it compliments. WION: And Japanese PM will be visiting India this year for the annual summit? Sanjay Kumar Verma: Yes, last year PM Modi was in Japan for the summit, so this year, its turn of PM Abe to go to India. WION: Both are now working on the third country projects, like in Sri Lanka? Sanjay Kumar Verma: Yes, the third country projects are extremely important between the two countries and that was agreed upon by the two prime ministers in the last meeting which took place in Tokyo last year. That has been taken forward. It plugs very well with India's Act East policy and Japan's own policy of engaging India for third country projects. So Japan is engaged in India for projects, for example, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed railway, dedicated freight corridor, metro projects in large infrastructure projects and now we want to go to other countries and it will start in the vicinity of India. WION: You also spoke about the personal chemistry, we saw the Japan PM hosting PM Modi at his residence. Sanjay Kumar Verma: You know getting a leader from another country to Japanese PM's own residence was a first. Therefore that tells you a lot about what is the personal chemistry between PM Modi and Japanese PM Abe and how much trust exists between them, they are more like friends. They very close, very frank and have very open discussions and they are very helpful towards each other. WION: How is India playing a leadership role at G20? Sanjay Kumar Verma: India has been playing a very key role at the G20 outcomes, from digital partnership to climate change to financial architecture and counter-terrorism. Also in trade multilateralism, India is a key player globally. India has been able to shape global opinions and has led the way in out-of-box thinking.

New Delhi, Tokyo will be working on third country projects in India's vicinity, says Indian envoy to Japan

As tensions continued to mount between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-speed-up-enriching-of-uranium-after-deadline-to-europe-ends-on-thursday-irib-230564">US and Iran in the aftermath</a> of the downing of the US drone, President Trump in an interview to a US television network said there would be "no boots on the ground if US attacks".

"I hope we don't but we're in a very strong position if something should happen," adding,"I'm not talking boots on the ground ... I'm just saying if something would happen, it wouldn't last very long."

On the US-China trade war, the US president said China was "going down the tubes" and wanted a trade deal.

President Xi and Trump are due to meet in the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-hopes-to-re-launch-china-trade-talks-will-not-accept-conditions-on-tariffs-230453"> G20 Summit in Osaka</a>, Japan shortly with several experts hoping for a deal, although there has been no word on it from the White House.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-backs-iran-on-us-sanctions-230465/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

"China wants a trade deal with the United States because its economy is weakening," the US president said.

However, on the trade front, the US president asserted that "Vietnam was worse than China on trade".

Vietnam was the "single worst abuser" on trade with the United States, worse even than China, he said.

"A lot of companies are moving to Vietnam, but Vietnam takes advantage of us even worse than China," he said.

"It's almost the single worst abuser of everybody," he added.

Trump said the European Union was out of line bringing lawsuits against US technology companies like Facebook and Google, saying legal action against those firms should be the purview of the United States.

She hates the United States perhaps worse than any person I've ever met," Trump said during the interview in an apparent reference to EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

"What she does to our country. She's suing all our companies. We should be suing Google and Facebook, and all that," he said. "They're suing Apple. They're suing everybody." 
&nbsp;

As tensions continued to mount between US and Iran in the aftermath of the downing of the US drone, President Trump in an interview to a US television network said there would be "no boots on the ground if US attacks".

As tensions continued to mount between US and Iran in the aftermath of the downing of the US drone, President Trump in an interview to a US television network said there would be "no boots on the ground if US attacks". "I hope we don't but we're in a very strong position if something should happen," adding,"I'm not talking boots on the ground ... I'm just saying if something would happen, it wouldn't last very long." On the US-China trade war, the US president said China was "going down the tubes" and wanted a trade deal. President Xi and Trump are due to meet in the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan shortly with several experts hoping for a deal, although there has been no word on it from the White House. "China wants a trade deal with the United States because its economy is weakening," the US president said. However, on the trade front, the US president asserted that "Vietnam was worse than China on trade". Vietnam was the "single worst abuser" on trade with the United States, worse even than China, he said. "A lot of companies are moving to Vietnam, but Vietnam takes advantage of us even worse than China," he said. "It's almost the single worst abuser of everybody," he added. Trump said the European Union was out of line bringing lawsuits against US technology companies like Facebook and Google, saying legal action against those firms should be the purview of the United States. She hates the United States perhaps worse than any person I've ever met," Trump said during the interview in an apparent reference to EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager. "What she does to our country. She's suing all our companies. We should be suing Google and Facebook, and all that," he said. "They're suing Apple. They're suing everybody."

US in a very strong position, no boots on the ground against Iran: Trump

The United States hopes to re-launch trade talks with China after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-trade-negotiators-hold-talks-ahead-of-xi-trump-meeting-report-230147">President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping</a> meet in Japan on Saturday but Washington will not accept any conditions on tariffs, a senior administration official said on Tuesday.

The two sides could agree not to impose new tariffs as a goodwill gesture to get negotiations going, the official said, but it was unclear if that would happen.

The United States was not willing to come to the Xi meeting with concessions, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The remarks set up what could prove to be a tricky meeting between Trump and Xi, who will sit down together at the Group of 20 summit meeting in Osaka, the first time they have done so since trade talks between the world's two largest economies broke down in May.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, who has led trade talks for Beijing, spoke on the phone with his counterparts, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. The three men are helping to pave the way for talks between the leaders later this week.

Expectations for that meeting so far appear to be low, with the best-case scenario a resumption of official talks that could ease fears in financial markets that the already long trade dispute would continue indefinitely.

China said on Monday that both sides should make compromises in the trade talks and that a trade deal has to be beneficial for both countries.

Trump advisers have said no broad trade deal is expected to be made at the meeting but they hope to create a path forward for talks. Once negotiations resume, they could take months or even years to complete, the senior Trump administration official said.

Washington has imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods, ranging from semiconductors to furniture, that is imported to the United States, as part of the trade war.

Trump has threatened to put tariffs on $325 billion more of goods, covering nearly all the remaining Chinese imports into the United States, including consumer products such as cellphones, computers and clothing.

A resumption of negotiations could put that threat on hold, at least for now. But neither side has shown a great appetite for changing positions, despite a willingness to meet.

"I think if they go with the tariffs, the trade talks are dead. Period," said one person familiar with the talks.

The United States has made clear it wants China to go back to the position it held in a draft trade agreement that was nearly completed before Beijing balked at some of its terms, particularly requirements to change its laws on some issues.

Beijing wants the United States to lift tariffs, while Washington wants China to change a series of practices including on intellectual property and requirements that US companies share their technology with Chinese companies in order to do business there.

Taoran Notes, an influential account on Chinese messaging app WeChat published by China's Economic Daily, said in a post late on Tuesday that "certain people" in the United States did not understand China's determination to uphold its position, and had "illusions" about forcing China to submit.&nbsp;

“If the US side doesn’t change its thinking, doesn’t change its methods, then all that will happen on the China-US trade issue is that an 'exchange of views and maintenance of communication’ will persist, and there won’t be more substantive progress,” the author wrote.

Pressure building

The president has spoken optimistically about the chances of a deal. The administration official said rounds of meetings between top trade officials from both countries likely would begin again after the G20 summit.

He noted that although the vice premier still led China's trade delegation, new names had been added to the list who could be hard-liners.

The official said Trump and Xi were unlikely to get into the fine details of the draft trade pact, although the case of Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies Co may come up during talks.

Pressure on Huawei, which the US government has labelled a security threat, has increased in recent days.

About a dozen rural US telecom carriers that depend on Huawei for network gear are in discussions with its biggest rivals, Ericsson and Nokia, to replace their Chinese equipment, sources familiar with the matter said.

And the US-based research arm of Huawei - Futurewei Technologies Inc - has moved to separate its operations from its corporate parent since the US government in May put Huawei on a trade blacklist, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Trump has indicated a willingness to include the Huawei issue in a trade deal, despite the national security implications cited by his advisers about the company.

Meanwhile, US parcel delivery firm FedEx Corp on Monday sued the US government, saying it should not be held liable if it inadvertently shipped products that violated a Trump administration ban on exports to some Chinese companies.

FedEx reignited Chinese ire over its business practices when a package containing a Huawei phone sent to the United States was returned last week to its sender in Britain, in what FedEx said was an "operational error."

The United States hopes to re-launch trade talks with China after President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping meet in Japan on Saturday but Washington will not accept any conditions on tariffs, a senior administration official said on Tuesday.

The United States hopes to re-launch trade talks with China after President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping meet in Japan on Saturday but Washington will not accept any conditions on tariffs, a senior administration official said on Tuesday. The two sides could agree not to impose new tariffs as a goodwill gesture to get negotiations going, the official said, but it was unclear if that would happen. The United States was not willing to come to the Xi meeting with concessions, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The remarks set up what could prove to be a tricky meeting between Trump and Xi, who will sit down together at the Group of 20 summit meeting in Osaka, the first time they have done so since trade talks between the world's two largest economies broke down in May. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, who has led trade talks for Beijing, spoke on the phone with his counterparts, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. The three men are helping to pave the way for talks between the leaders later this week. Expectations for that meeting so far appear to be low, with the best-case scenario a resumption of official talks that could ease fears in financial markets that the already long trade dispute would continue indefinitely. China said on Monday that both sides should make compromises in the trade talks and that a trade deal has to be beneficial for both countries. Trump advisers have said no broad trade deal is expected to be made at the meeting but they hope to create a path forward for talks. Once negotiations resume, they could take months or even years to complete, the senior Trump administration official said. Washington has imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods, ranging from semiconductors to furniture, that is imported to the United States, as part of the trade war. Trump has threatened to put tariffs on $325 billion more of goods, covering nearly all the remaining Chinese imports into the United States, including consumer products such as cellphones, computers and clothing. A resumption of negotiations could put that threat on hold, at least for now. But neither side has shown a great appetite for changing positions, despite a willingness to meet. "I think if they go with the tariffs, the trade talks are dead. Period," said one person familiar with the talks. The United States has made clear it wants China to go back to the position it held in a draft trade agreement that was nearly completed before Beijing balked at some of its terms, particularly requirements to change its laws on some issues. Beijing wants the United States to lift tariffs, while Washington wants China to change a series of practices including on intellectual property and requirements that US companies share their technology with Chinese companies in order to do business there. Taoran Notes, an influential account on Chinese messaging app WeChat published by China's Economic Daily, said in a post late on Tuesday that "certain people" in the United States did not understand China's determination to uphold its position, and had "illusions" about forcing China to submit. “If the US side doesn’t change its thinking, doesn’t change its methods, then all that will happen on the China-US trade issue is that an 'exchange of views and maintenance of communication’ will persist, and there won’t be more substantive progress,” the author wrote. Pressure building The president has spoken optimistically about the chances of a deal. The administration official said rounds of meetings between top trade officials from both countries likely would begin again after the G20 summit. He noted that although the vice premier still led China's trade delegation, new names had been added to the list who could be hard-liners. The official said Trump and Xi were unlikely to get into the fine details of the draft trade pact, although the case of Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies Co may come up during talks. Pressure on Huawei, which the US government has labelled a security threat, has increased in recent days. About a dozen rural US telecom carriers that depend on Huawei for network gear are in discussions with its biggest rivals, Ericsson and Nokia, to replace their Chinese equipment, sources familiar with the matter said. And the US-based research arm of Huawei - Futurewei Technologies Inc - has moved to separate its operations from its corporate parent since the US government in May put Huawei on a trade blacklist, according to two people familiar with the matter. Trump has indicated a willingness to include the Huawei issue in a trade deal, despite the national security implications cited by his advisers about the company. Meanwhile, US parcel delivery firm FedEx Corp on Monday sued the US government, saying it should not be held liable if it inadvertently shipped products that violated a Trump administration ban on exports to some Chinese companies. FedEx reignited Chinese ire over its business practices when a package containing a Huawei phone sent to the United States was returned last week to its sender in Britain, in what FedEx said was an "operational error."

US hopes to re-launch China trade talks, will not accept conditions on tariffs

In Japan, a country where cleanliness and neat packaging have long been considered good service, almost everything is sold plastic-wrapped. But as world leaders gather in Osaka for the two-day G-20 summit that starts on Friday, Japan will attempt to become a leader in environmental policy at the same time it plays catch-up with countries that already have well-defined goals in place.

Big plastic user Japan fights waste ahead of G20

France said it will not accept a final <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trade-and-horsetrade-top-five-hot-button-g20-issues-230484">G20 communique that does not</a> mention the Paris climate change agreement, as President Emmanuel Macron hardened his position on climate change ahead of the G20 meeting.

Japanese media reported on Wednesday that leaders of the G20 top economies will call this week for the promotion of free trade to achieve strong global growth, as the United States and China seek to resume talks to resolve a bitter trade dispute.

In preparing a joint communique, Japan, the chair of the meetings, seeks common ground between the United States, which opposes language denouncing protectionism, and other nations, which want a stronger warning against the risk of trade tension.

However, France was adamant that any final G20 communique must also mention the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-leave-for-g20-summit-today-first-bilateral-meeting-with-japan-pm-shinzo-abe-230584">2016 Paris Climate Change</a> agreement that was set up to protect the environment.

"I've heard a lot of people say 'I have red lines', and there are a lot of people who are saying that they no longer want to sign G7 or G20 communiques because there are these red lines," Macron told an audience of French expats in Tokyo.

"As for myself, I have one red line. If we don't talk about the Paris Agreement and if we don't get an agreement on it amongst the 20 members in the room, we are no longer capable of defending our climate change goals, and France will not be part of this, it's as simple as that," he added.

France was the driver behind the 2016 Paris Agreement to limit global warming, and the French parliament is now debating an energy bill that targets net zero emissions by 2050.

The G20 group of 20 major economies hold a summit in Japan this weekend.

France said it will not accept a final G20 communique that does not mention the Paris climate change agreement, as President Emmanuel Macron hardened his position on climate change ahead of the G20 meeting.

France said it will not accept a final G20 communique that does not mention the Paris climate change agreement, as President Emmanuel Macron hardened his position on climate change ahead of the G20 meeting. Japanese media reported on Wednesday that leaders of the G20 top economies will call this week for the promotion of free trade to achieve strong global growth, as the United States and China seek to resume talks to resolve a bitter trade dispute. In preparing a joint communique, Japan, the chair of the meetings, seeks common ground between the United States, which opposes language denouncing protectionism, and other nations, which want a stronger warning against the risk of trade tension. However, France was adamant that any final G20 communique must also mention the 2016 Paris Climate Change agreement that was set up to protect the environment. "I've heard a lot of people say 'I have red lines', and there are a lot of people who are saying that they no longer want to sign G7 or G20 communiques because there are these red lines," Macron told an audience of French expats in Tokyo. "As for myself, I have one red line. If we don't talk about the Paris Agreement and if we don't get an agreement on it amongst the 20 members in the room, we are no longer capable of defending our climate change goals, and France will not be part of this, it's as simple as that," he added. France was the driver behind the 2016 Paris Agreement to limit global warming, and the French parliament is now debating an energy bill that targets net zero emissions by 2050. The G20 group of 20 major economies hold a summit in Japan this weekend.

No G20 agreement if Paris climate change not mentioned: Macron

PM Modi will be leaving for Osaka, Japan today for a three-day visit during which he will be meeting a host of world leaders and take part in the 14th G20 Summit. He will be arriving in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-has-become-a-vital-forum-to-address-the-most-pressing-issues-brazil-ambassador-to-india-andre-aranha-correa-do-lago-230443">Osaka on 27th and on 28th and 29th</a>&nbsp;the Indian prime minister will take part in the G20 summit, his sixth since 2014 and first in his second term.

PM Modi's first bilateral on day one will be with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. Japanese PM was the first foreign leader to congratulate PM Modi on phone on his re-election on May 23rd.

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be visiting India later this year for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit that alternates its location between India and Japan.

Last year PM Modi visited Japan for the 13th Annual Summit during which Japan announced it will be joining the New Delhi-led International Solar Alliance and signed a Currency Swap Agreement.&nbsp;

PM Modi will be taking part in more than ten bilaterals and pull-asides at the summit. He will be meeting US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron &nbsp;He met Chinese and Russian leaders on the sidelines of Shanghai cooperation organization Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan just two weeks ago.

The important trilaterals will also happen, the JAI meet - Japan, America, India grouping and RIC meet - Russia, India and China trilaterals. Besides this, a permanent fixture has been informal the BRICS Summit.

The informal meet between Modi-Xi during the informal BRICS summit at the 2017 Hamburg G20 acted as a major ice-breaker between the two countries in the backdrop of the Doklam crisis.

New Delhi is expected to strongly raise the issue of economic offenders and black money. Other than this climate change, counter-terrorism, disaster resilient infrastructure, reformed multilateralism, WTO reforms will be other focus for India.&nbsp;

The summit is happening in the backdrop of trade wars between World's number 1 and number 2 economies - US and China and Washington's diminishing commitment to global trade body - world trade organization(WTO).

The annual gathering of the world's power club will have plenty to talk about including the much talked about meeting between US president Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping to resolve issues on trade. The US-Iran tiff is also expected to dominate the discourse.

The theme of this year's summit under the Japanese Presidency is "human centred future society” and focus will be on a range of issues from Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence to Inclusive and Sustainable World and pressing issues like Energy and Environment, Global Health, Climate change and Marine plastic waste.&nbsp;

G20 emerged in the backdrop of Asian financial crisis in 1999 when it was a forum of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of developing and developed countries.&nbsp;

After the 2008 global financial crisis, it took shape in its present forum and has summits across the world. G20 members represent around 85 per cent of global gross domestic product, over 75 per cent of global trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.

PM Modi will be leaving for Osaka, Japan today for a three-day visit during which he will be meeting a host of world leaders and take part in the 14th G20 Summit.

PM Modi will be leaving for Osaka, Japan today for a three-day visit during which he will be meeting a host of world leaders and take part in the 14th G20 Summit. He will be arriving in Osaka on 27th and on 28th and 29th the Indian prime minister will take part in the G20 summit, his sixth since 2014 and first in his second term. PM Modi's first bilateral on day one will be with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. Japanese PM was the first foreign leader to congratulate PM Modi on phone on his re-election on May 23rd. The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be visiting India later this year for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit that alternates its location between India and Japan. Last year PM Modi visited Japan for the 13th Annual Summit during which Japan announced it will be joining the New Delhi-led International Solar Alliance and signed a Currency Swap Agreement. PM Modi will be taking part in more than ten bilaterals and pull-asides at the summit. He will be meeting US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron He met Chinese and Russian leaders on the sidelines of Shanghai cooperation organization Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan just two weeks ago. The important trilaterals will also happen, the JAI meet - Japan, America, India grouping and RIC meet - Russia, India and China trilaterals. Besides this, a permanent fixture has been informal the BRICS Summit. The informal meet between Modi-Xi during the informal BRICS summit at the 2017 Hamburg G20 acted as a major ice-breaker between the two countries in the backdrop of the Doklam crisis. New Delhi is expected to strongly raise the issue of economic offenders and black money. Other than this climate change, counter-terrorism, disaster resilient infrastructure, reformed multilateralism, WTO reforms will be other focus for India. The summit is happening in the backdrop of trade wars between World's number 1 and number 2 economies - US and China and Washington's diminishing commitment to global trade body - world trade organization(WTO). The annual gathering of the world's power club will have plenty to talk about including the much talked about meeting between US president Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping to resolve issues on trade. The US-Iran tiff is also expected to dominate the discourse. The theme of this year's summit under the Japanese Presidency is "human centred future society” and focus will be on a range of issues from Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence to Inclusive and Sustainable World and pressing issues like Energy and Environment, Global Health, Climate change and Marine plastic waste. G20 emerged in the backdrop of Asian financial crisis in 1999 when it was a forum of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of developing and developed countries. After the 2008 global financial crisis, it took shape in its present forum and has summits across the world. G20 members represent around 85 per cent of global gross domestic product, over 75 per cent of global trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.

PM Modi to leave for G20 Summit today; first bilateral meeting with Japan PM Shinzo Abe

A look at United States-China trade war in 10 dates

PM Modi will be in Japan later this week for 2 days - June 28 and 29 - to participate at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-summit-should-find-solutions-to-global-challenges-german-ambassador-230040">14th G20 Summit in Osaka</a>. This will be the 6th G20 he will be participating in since 2014 and the first one of his second term. PM Modi has earlier participated at the summit held in Brisbane (2014), Antalya (2015), Hangzhou (2016), Hamburg (2017) and Buenos Aires (2018).

PM will be taking part in nearly 10 bilaterals and pull-asides during the summit.

He will be meeting Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. This will be PM's first meet with Shinzo Abe and Donald Trump in his second term. He met Chinese and Russian leaders on the sidelines of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-refuses-to-endorse-chinas-bri-at-sco-says-connectivity-projects-must-respect-territorial-integrity-227208">the Shanghai Cooperation Organization</a> (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan just 2 weeks ago.

During last year's summit in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, PM Modi met these leaders under the JAI- Japan, America, India grouping; RIC-Russia, India and China tri-laterals and during the BRICS Summit. Remember, the informal meeting between Modi and Xi during the informal BRICS Summit at the 2017 Hamburg G20 acted as a major icebreaker between the two countries in the backdrop of the Doklam crisis that year.

New Delhi is expected to strongly raise the issue of economic offenders and black money this year at the summit.&nbsp;

"We are keen that the economic offenders and those who are the perpetrators of economic crime, holders of black money should be brought to book. Those are running away from India should be brought back and no country should provide them shelter," India's sherpa or the chief negotiator for G20 Suresh Prabhu told WION.

Other than this, climate change, countering terrorism, disaster resilient infrastructure, reformed multilateralism, WTO reforms will be other areas of focus for India. The summit is happening in the backdrop of trade wars between the world's biggest economies - US and China - and Washington's diminishing commitment to global trade body the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

"India is of the strong view that global trade should be free from any restrictions. Multilateralism should prevail, it should happen under WTO. Reforming WTO is necessary but it should happen in a way that all the countries in the world should have the right to decide. WTO should be a forum for growth, equity and inclusiveness," Prabhu explained.

But the annual gathering of the world's power club will have plenty to talk about including the much talked about meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve issues on trade. The US-Iran tiff is also expected to dominate the discourse.

The theme of this year's summit under the Japanese presidency is "Human-centred future society” and the focus will be on a range of issues from digital economy and artificial intelligence to inclusive and sustainable world and pressing issues like energy and environment, global health, climate change and marine plastic waste.&nbsp;

The G20 emerged in the backdrop of the Asian financial crisis in 1999 when it was a forum of finance ministers and central bank governors of developing and developed countries.&nbsp;

After the 2008 global financial crisis, it took shape into its present form and has summits across the world.&nbsp;

G20 members represent around 85 per cent of global gross domestic product, over 75 per cent of global trade and two-thirds of the world’s population.

PM Modi will be in Japan later this week for 2 days - June 28 and 29 - to participate at the 14th G20 Summit in Osaka. This will be the 6th G20 he will be participating in since 2014 and the first one of his second term.

PM Modi will be in Japan later this week for 2 days - June 28 and 29 - to participate at the 14th G20 Summit in Osaka. This will be the 6th G20 he will be participating in since 2014 and the first one of his second term. PM Modi has earlier participated at the summit held in Brisbane (2014), Antalya (2015), Hangzhou (2016), Hamburg (2017) and Buenos Aires (2018). PM will be taking part in nearly 10 bilaterals and pull-asides during the summit. He will be meeting Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. This will be PM's first meet with Shinzo Abe and Donald Trump in his second term. He met Chinese and Russian leaders on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan just 2 weeks ago. During last year's summit in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, PM Modi met these leaders under the JAI- Japan, America, India grouping; RIC-Russia, India and China tri-laterals and during the BRICS Summit. Remember, the informal meeting between Modi and Xi during the informal BRICS Summit at the 2017 Hamburg G20 acted as a major icebreaker between the two countries in the backdrop of the Doklam crisis that year. New Delhi is expected to strongly raise the issue of economic offenders and black money this year at the summit. "We are keen that the economic offenders and those who are the perpetrators of economic crime, holders of black money should be brought to book. Those are running away from India should be brought back and no country should provide them shelter," India's sherpa or the chief negotiator for G20 Suresh Prabhu told WION. Other than this, climate change, countering terrorism, disaster resilient infrastructure, reformed multilateralism, WTO reforms will be other areas of focus for India. The summit is happening in the backdrop of trade wars between the world's biggest economies - US and China - and Washington's diminishing commitment to global trade body the World Trade Organisation (WTO). "India is of the strong view that global trade should be free from any restrictions. Multilateralism should prevail, it should happen under WTO. Reforming WTO is necessary but it should happen in a way that all the countries in the world should have the right to decide. WTO should be a forum for growth, equity and inclusiveness," Prabhu explained. But the annual gathering of the world's power club will have plenty to talk about including the much talked about meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve issues on trade. The US-Iran tiff is also expected to dominate the discourse. The theme of this year's summit under the Japanese presidency is "Human-centred future society” and the focus will be on a range of issues from digital economy and artificial intelligence to inclusive and sustainable world and pressing issues like energy and environment, global health, climate change and marine plastic waste. The G20 emerged in the backdrop of the Asian financial crisis in 1999 when it was a forum of finance ministers and central bank governors of developing and developed countries. After the 2008 global financial crisis, it took shape into its present form and has summits across the world. G20 members represent around 85 per cent of global gross domestic product, over 75 per cent of global trade and two-thirds of the world’s population.

With focus on economic offenders and countering terror, PM Modi to participate in 14th G20 Summit in Japan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend a two-day, 14th G20 Summit in Osaka in Japan from June 28, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. "For the sixth time, Modi will be participating in the G20 Summit. Apart from participating in the summit, PM will also have bilateral meetings. He will also participate in a few plurilateral meetings," Raveesh Kumar, MEA`s spokesperson said.

India Watch: PM Modi to hold 10 bilaterals at G20

The G20 summit is scheduled for June 28 and 29 in Osaka, Japan. This will be PM Modi's sixth appearance&nbsp;in the G20.

Head of the summit, India's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-g20-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-expresses-concern-over-citizenship-by-investment-scheme-for-economic-offenders-225812">G20</a> Sherpa Suresh Prabhu spoke exclusively to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal on what will be India's focus areas. Sherpa is a person who leads negotiations at multilateral groupings on behalf of a country.

Speaking to WION, Prabhu said climate change, energy and environment will be India's major highlight in the summit. Besides this, the summit will also discuss on ensuring no safe havens to the economic offenders and holders of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-black-money-battle-how-india-plans-to-nab-economic-offenders-204394">black money</a>.

Suresh Prabhu said, "We are keen that the economic offenders and those who are the perpetrators of economic crime, holders of black money should be brought to book. Those are running away from India should be brought back and no country should provide them shelter."

"We are very keen, economic growth should happen on a faster basis, and support should come from all global community. Climate change, energy, environment are very important issues. Global community should join to create a world-class infrastructure that should be quality in nature. So we are working on all these issues, " he added.

Answering a question on protectionism, Prabhu said global trade should be free from any restrictions and added that multilateral should be followed with respect to World Trade Organisation.

"India is of the strong view that global trade should be free from any restrictions. Multilateral should prevail, it should happen under WTO. Reforming WTO is necessary but it should happen in a way that all the countries in the world should have the right to decide. WTO should be forum for growth, equity and inclusiveness," he added.

The G20 summit is scheduled for June 28 and 29 in Osaka, Japan. This will be PM Modi's sixth appearance in the G20. Head of the summit, India's G20 Sherpa Suresh Prabhu spoke exclusively to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal on what will be India's focus areas.

The G20 summit is scheduled for June 28 and 29 in Osaka, Japan. This will be PM Modi's sixth appearance in the G20. Head of the summit, India's G20 Sherpa Suresh Prabhu spoke exclusively to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal on what will be India's focus areas. Sherpa is a person who leads negotiations at multilateral groupings on behalf of a country. Speaking to WION, Prabhu said climate change, energy and environment will be India's major highlight in the summit. Besides this, the summit will also discuss on ensuring no safe havens to the economic offenders and holders of black money. Suresh Prabhu said, "We are keen that the economic offenders and those who are the perpetrators of economic crime, holders of black money should be brought to book. Those are running away from India should be brought back and no country should provide them shelter." "We are very keen, economic growth should happen on a faster basis, and support should come from all global community. Climate change, energy, environment are very important issues. Global community should join to create a world-class infrastructure that should be quality in nature. So we are working on all these issues, " he added. Answering a question on protectionism, Prabhu said global trade should be free from any restrictions and added that multilateral should be followed with respect to World Trade Organisation. "India is of the strong view that global trade should be free from any restrictions. Multilateral should prevail, it should happen under WTO. Reforming WTO is necessary but it should happen in a way that all the countries in the world should have the right to decide. WTO should be forum for growth, equity and inclusiveness," he added.

No country should provide shelter to economic offenders: India's G20 Sherpa to WION

United States President Donald Trump is obsessed with trade tariffs. He misses no opportunity to upbraid China, India, Mexico and even the European Union (EU) on the high tariffs they impose on US products. &nbsp;

He is especially incensed by India’s 50 per cent import duty on Harley Davidson motorcycles, which have an infinitesimal market share in India. Yet for Trump, it is a symbol of how other countries “rip off America”, as he said in a recent television interview. Trump has used tariff threats to bully Mexico into sending 6,000 Mexican troops to stop refugees fleeing Central American countries like El Salvador and Honduras before they reach the US-Mexico border. &nbsp;

Trump has, meanwhile, held out a threat to slap 25 per cent tariffs on Chinese exports to the US valued at $300 billion in addition to the tariffs already in place on $250 billion worth of Chinese exports. Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28-29 to thrash out the issues in the escalating US-China trade war. &nbsp;

Where does India fit in? India-US trade is a fraction of China-US trade. China’s trade surplus with the US that sends Trump into near-delirium was $419.2 billion in 2018. India’s trade surplus with the US in 2018 was a relatively puny $24.2 billion. &nbsp;

“Tariffs are a beautiful thing,” Trump told CNBC’s Squawk Box show on June 10, 2019. But so far, the tariffs Trump has imposed on China aren’t working. Latest data shows China’s trade surplus with the US trade climbed by $2.1 billion to $29.2 billion for the month of April 2019.

At the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to have a short bilateral meeting with Trump. Trade, technology and defence will dominate the conversation. Trump wants India to cut import duties on a swathe of goods, including medical stents whose suppliers have a strong lobby in the US. &nbsp;

Trump will apply additional pressure on Modi to stop India buying Russia’s S-400 anti-missile system. The US has already told NATO ally Turkey, which is also buying the S-400, that Washington will no longer support the advanced F-35 fighter jet programme in Turkey. &nbsp;

Modi though has several aces up his sleeve and must tackle Trump’s tactics with a few of his own. Strategically, the US needs India to counter China’s emergence as the world’s pre-eminent superpower over the next two decades. India is the only country with a large economy and military that can help Washington contain China in the Indo-Pacific. &nbsp;

As important as strategy is psychology. Trump is a megalomaniac. He relishes praise. But he also respects strong leaders. One of the reasons Trump constantly praises Xi Jinping whilst decrying China is the strongman image the Chinese leader projects. The last thing Modi should, therefore, do at the G20 summit in Osaka next week is fawn over Trump in the hope that his administration will soften its stand over trade tariffs and the S-400. Far better to adopt Xi’s playbook with Trump: be friendly, but firm. Xi hasn’t conceded an inch to Trump on trade or technology but has kept the dialogue going. By slapping tariffs last week on US exports covering 28 items, India has made a good beginning. &nbsp;

India’s consumer market is the world’s second largest. India also has the second highest percentage of Internet users (12 per cent) in the world, behind China (21 per cent) but ahead of the US (8 per cent). Washington does have legitimate complaints on India’s restrictive laws on e-commerce firms. These and other trade issues will need to be sorted out by the new team in the commerce and finance ministries.&nbsp;

As commerce and industry minister, Piyush Goyal is well suited to negotiate knotty trade disputes with the US. The MoS in the commerce ministry, Hardip Singh Puri, is another experienced negotiator, having spent several years as India’s permanent representative at the United Nations in New York. &nbsp;

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s stint as defence minister will prove useful while negotiating the difficult terrain over India’s commitment to buy the S-400. Advance payment has already been made to Russia and cancelling the contract is neither feasible nor desirable. India needs to maintain its links with Russian defence contractors to avoid over-dependence on American military hardware. &nbsp;

India’s trump card is the fact that both the US and China need it in their corner. Washington knows that a China-Russia axis can pose a threat to the Western alliance. With the European Union sclerotic and Britain enervated by Brexit, the US has few allies apart from India with both large economies and militaries. &nbsp;

China, for its part, needs to keep India onside as an antidote to the US bullying. The Wuhan spirit and Xi’s likely return trip to Modi’s constituency Varanasi in October this year is aimed at keeping India in good humour and as far out of Washington’s orbit of influence as possible. &nbsp;

Modi will this have to play his cards deftly in Osaka. It is likely to be another decade before India’s economic and military heft reaches a level that makes it part of an emerging Isosceles triangle with the US and China. Till then, stay flexible, but on core issues, resolute as Trump lumbers through the G20 summit in Japan next week.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-dealing-with-donald-trump-2762858">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump is obsessed with trade tariffs. He misses no opportunity to upbraid China, India, Mexico and even the European Union (EU) on the high tariffs they impose on US products.

United States President Donald Trump is obsessed with trade tariffs. He misses no opportunity to upbraid China, India, Mexico and even the European Union (EU) on the high tariffs they impose on US products. He is especially incensed by India’s 50 per cent import duty on Harley Davidson motorcycles, which have an infinitesimal market share in India. Yet for Trump, it is a symbol of how other countries “rip off America”, as he said in a recent television interview. Trump has used tariff threats to bully Mexico into sending 6,000 Mexican troops to stop refugees fleeing Central American countries like El Salvador and Honduras before they reach the US-Mexico border. Trump has, meanwhile, held out a threat to slap 25 per cent tariffs on Chinese exports to the US valued at $300 billion in addition to the tariffs already in place on $250 billion worth of Chinese exports. Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28-29 to thrash out the issues in the escalating US-China trade war. Where does India fit in? India-US trade is a fraction of China-US trade. China’s trade surplus with the US that sends Trump into near-delirium was $419.2 billion in 2018. India’s trade surplus with the US in 2018 was a relatively puny $24.2 billion. “Tariffs are a beautiful thing,” Trump told CNBC’s Squawk Box show on June 10, 2019. But so far, the tariffs Trump has imposed on China aren’t working. Latest data shows China’s trade surplus with the US trade climbed by $2.1 billion to $29.2 billion for the month of April 2019. At the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to have a short bilateral meeting with Trump. Trade, technology and defence will dominate the conversation. Trump wants India to cut import duties on a swathe of goods, including medical stents whose suppliers have a strong lobby in the US. Trump will apply additional pressure on Modi to stop India buying Russia’s S-400 anti-missile system. The US has already told NATO ally Turkey, which is also buying the S-400, that Washington will no longer support the advanced F-35 fighter jet programme in Turkey. Modi though has several aces up his sleeve and must tackle Trump’s tactics with a few of his own. Strategically, the US needs India to counter China’s emergence as the world’s pre-eminent superpower over the next two decades. India is the only country with a large economy and military that can help Washington contain China in the Indo-Pacific. As important as strategy is psychology. Trump is a megalomaniac. He relishes praise. But he also respects strong leaders. One of the reasons Trump constantly praises Xi Jinping whilst decrying China is the strongman image the Chinese leader projects. The last thing Modi should, therefore, do at the G20 summit in Osaka next week is fawn over Trump in the hope that his administration will soften its stand over trade tariffs and the S-400. Far better to adopt Xi’s playbook with Trump: be friendly, but firm. Xi hasn’t conceded an inch to Trump on trade or technology but has kept the dialogue going. By slapping tariffs last week on US exports covering 28 items, India has made a good beginning. India’s consumer market is the world’s second largest. India also has the second highest percentage of Internet users (12 per cent) in the world, behind China (21 per cent) but ahead of the US (8 per cent). Washington does have legitimate complaints on India’s restrictive laws on e-commerce firms. These and other trade issues will need to be sorted out by the new team in the commerce and finance ministries. As commerce and industry minister, Piyush Goyal is well suited to negotiate knotty trade disputes with the US. The MoS in the commerce ministry, Hardip Singh Puri, is another experienced negotiator, having spent several years as India’s permanent representative at the United Nations in New York. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s stint as defence minister will prove useful while negotiating the difficult terrain over India’s commitment to buy the S-400. Advance payment has already been made to Russia and cancelling the contract is neither feasible nor desirable. India needs to maintain its links with Russian defence contractors to avoid over-dependence on American military hardware. India’s trump card is the fact that both the US and China need it in their corner. Washington knows that a China-Russia axis can pose a threat to the Western alliance. With the European Union sclerotic and Britain enervated by Brexit, the US has few allies apart from India with both large economies and militaries. China, for its part, needs to keep India onside as an antidote to the US bullying. The Wuhan spirit and Xi’s likely return trip to Modi’s constituency Varanasi in October this year is aimed at keeping India in good humour and as far out of Washington’s orbit of influence as possible. Modi will this have to play his cards deftly in Osaka. It is likely to be another decade before India’s economic and military heft reaches a level that makes it part of an emerging Isosceles triangle with the US and China. Till then, stay flexible, but on core issues, resolute as Trump lumbers through the G20 summit in Japan next week. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

PM Narendra Modi must play his cards deftly when he meets Donald Trump at G20 Summit

The Kremlin said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump could meet briefly at the G20 in Japan next week.

The leaders will not hold a full-scale meeting at the Group of 20 summit in Osaka starting June 28, however, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, saying Washington has not reached out to organise one.

"There's no news on a possible full-scale meeting between Putin and Trump in Osaka," Peskov said. "That means the American side has still not formulated any initiatives or proposals on this."

Peskov added that "one can't rule out a brief meeting between them while they are standing up, but this won't be a full-scale meeting."

Trump said last week that he would meet Putin on the sidelines of the summit but told a reporter he wanted other people to be present at their meeting because "you people (journalists) don't trust anything."

The US leader said last month he would meet with Putin at the G20, but the Kremlin indicated at the time there was no agreement on a bilateral meeting.

On Tuesday, Trump is set to formally announce his bid for re-election in 2020.

The Kremlin said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump could meet briefly at the G20 in Japan next week. The leaders will not hold a full-scale meeting at the Group of 20 summit in Osaka starting June 28, however, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, saying Washington has not reached out to organise one.

The Kremlin said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump could meet briefly at the G20 in Japan next week. The leaders will not hold a full-scale meeting at the Group of 20 summit in Osaka starting June 28, however, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, saying Washington has not reached out to organise one. "There's no news on a possible full-scale meeting between Putin and Trump in Osaka," Peskov said. "That means the American side has still not formulated any initiatives or proposals on this." Peskov added that "one can't rule out a brief meeting between them while they are standing up, but this won't be a full-scale meeting." Trump said last week that he would meet Putin on the sidelines of the summit but told a reporter he wanted other people to be present at their meeting because "you people (journalists) don't trust anything." The US leader said last month he would meet with Putin at the G20, but the Kremlin indicated at the time there was no agreement on a bilateral meeting. On Tuesday, Trump is set to formally announce his bid for re-election in 2020.

President Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump could meet briefly at G20: Russia

The wife of ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn on Monday reached out to US President Donald Trump, asking him to press Japan at upcoming talks about "fair trial conditions".

Carlos Ghosn is awaiting trial in Japan over charges of under-reporting his salary for years while at Nissan and using company funds for personal expenses. The 65-year-old denies the accusations.

"World leaders are going to be meeting at the G20 at the end of the month," Carole Ghosn told the BBC in an interview broadcast on Monday.

"I'd like President Trump to speak to Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe about fair conditions, fair trial conditions, and to let me speak to my husband -- and also to respect this presumption of innocence until proven guilty."

She added that the last time she saw her husband was on April 4 when prosecutors stormed their apartment in the early hours.

Carlos Ghosn, who is a French citizen, was freed in Japan on $4.5 million bail in April after being detained on fresh charges but is living under strict conditions including restrictions on seeing his wife.

Under those bail conditions, Ghosn must stay in Japan and live in a court-appointed residence with cameras to monitor his movements.

"I think all of this could have been dealt with internally within the company. This didn't need to go this far," Carole Ghosn added on Monday.

"On top of this, my husband is innocent and time will prove the truth."

This year's G20 summit will be held in the Japanese city of Osaka from June 28-29.

The wife of ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn on Monday reached out to US President Donald Trump, asking him to press Japan at upcoming talks about "fair trial conditions".

The wife of ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn on Monday reached out to US President Donald Trump, asking him to press Japan at upcoming talks about "fair trial conditions". Carlos Ghosn is awaiting trial in Japan over charges of under-reporting his salary for years while at Nissan and using company funds for personal expenses. The 65-year-old denies the accusations. "World leaders are going to be meeting at the G20 at the end of the month," Carole Ghosn told the BBC in an interview broadcast on Monday. "I'd like President Trump to speak to Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe about fair conditions, fair trial conditions, and to let me speak to my husband -- and also to respect this presumption of innocence until proven guilty." She added that the last time she saw her husband was on April 4 when prosecutors stormed their apartment in the early hours. Carlos Ghosn, who is a French citizen, was freed in Japan on $4.5 million bail in April after being detained on fresh charges but is living under strict conditions including restrictions on seeing his wife. Under those bail conditions, Ghosn must stay in Japan and live in a court-appointed residence with cameras to monitor his movements. "I think all of this could have been dealt with internally within the company. This didn't need to go this far," Carole Ghosn added on Monday. "On top of this, my husband is innocent and time will prove the truth." This year's G20 summit will be held in the Japanese city of Osaka from June 28-29.

Wife of Nissan's former boss Carlos Ghosn seeks Donald Trump help

Xi Jinping will make the first trip to North Korea by a Chinese president in 14 years this week, state media said Monday, as Beijing tightens relations with Pyongyang amid tensions with the United States.

Xi will visit Pyongyang on Thursday and Friday at the invitation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-he-received-a-beautiful-letter-from-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-226360">North Korean leader Kim Jong-un</a>, said Chinese broadcaster CCTV.

The timing is likely to raise eyebrows at the White House as it comes one week before the G20 summit in Japan, where US President Donald Trump expects to meet with Xi to discuss their trade war.

China and North Korea have worked to improve relations in the past year after they deteriorated as Beijing backed a series of UN sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear activities.

The North's leader Kim Jong-un travelled to China -- his country's sole major ally -- four times in the past year to meet Xi.

But Xi had yet to reciprocate until now. It will be the first trip there by a Chinese president since Hu Jintao went in 2005.&nbsp;

With Beijing and Washington at loggerheads over trade, China is keen to remind Trump of its influence in Pyongyang, with whom his nuclear negotiations -- a point of pride for the US president, who faces an election next year -- are also at a deadlock.

"The signal would be that China remains a critical stakeholder," said Jingdong Yuan, a professor specialising in Asia-Pacific security and Chinese foreign policy at the University of Sydney.

"You cannot ignore China and China can play a very important role," he told AFP. Xi could thus use the trip as a "bargaining chip" in the US-China trade war, he added.

According to an informed source in Pyongyang, Beijing was keen to arrange a visit to North Korea ahead of any encounter between Xi and Trump at the G20 summit -- with trip logistics finalised only last month.

In recent days, hundreds of soldiers and workers have been sprucing up the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, pruning bushes and replanting flowerbeds on the approaches to the monument, which commemorates the millions of Chinese troops Mao Zedong sent to save the forces of Kim's grandfather Kim Il Sung from defeat during the Korean War.

A detachment of soldiers in white jackets was also seen outside the Liberation War Museum -- which includes a section on the Chinese contribution -- potentially indicating that it may be on Xi's itinerary.

'Four to zero'

It will be Xi's first trip to North Korea since taking power in 2012, though he visited the country as vice president in 2008.

"China and the DPRK are friendly neighbours," CCTV said, adding that Xi and Kim have reached a "series of important consensus" in past meetings and that a new chapter of bilateral relations had begun.

In contrast, Kim Jong-un has gone to China multiple times over the past year -- an unbalanced exchange that has not gone unnoticed in Pyongyang.

According to diplomatic sources in the North Korean capital, after Kim's many trips to meet Xi, there were increasingly strong feelings in Pyongyang that the Chinese leader should reciprocate for reasons of saving face.

"From a North Korean perspective, it's time for Chairman Xi to visit," said John Delury, an expert on US-China relations and Korean Peninsula affairs at Yonsei University in Seoul.

"They do keep score and it's like four to zero," he recently told AFP. "So far, Xi has approached China-North Korea relations very much as a function of US-China relations and kind of calculated in terms of that."

The visit also comes as negotiations between Trump and Kim have soured after the second summit in February broke up without a deal, failing to agree on what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief.

Since then, Kim has accused Washington of acting in "bad faith" and given it until the end of the year to change its approach.

Still, the nuclear situation is "under control for now", said Delury.&nbsp;

"That creates a space, a window where Xi could make a visit without expecting like a missile test the day he leaves or something like that," he said.

Xi Jinping will make the first trip to North Korea by a Chinese president in 14 years this week, state media said Monday, as Beijing tightens relations with Pyongyang amid tensions with the United States.

Xi Jinping will make the first trip to North Korea by a Chinese president in 14 years this week, state media said Monday, as Beijing tightens relations with Pyongyang amid tensions with the United States. Xi will visit Pyongyang on Thursday and Friday at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said Chinese broadcaster CCTV. The timing is likely to raise eyebrows at the White House as it comes one week before the G20 summit in Japan, where US President Donald Trump expects to meet with Xi to discuss their trade war. China and North Korea have worked to improve relations in the past year after they deteriorated as Beijing backed a series of UN sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear activities. The North's leader Kim Jong-un travelled to China -- his country's sole major ally -- four times in the past year to meet Xi. But Xi had yet to reciprocate until now. It will be the first trip there by a Chinese president since Hu Jintao went in 2005. With Beijing and Washington at loggerheads over trade, China is keen to remind Trump of its influence in Pyongyang, with whom his nuclear negotiations -- a point of pride for the US president, who faces an election next year -- are also at a deadlock. "The signal would be that China remains a critical stakeholder," said Jingdong Yuan, a professor specialising in Asia-Pacific security and Chinese foreign policy at the University of Sydney. "You cannot ignore China and China can play a very important role," he told AFP. Xi could thus use the trip as a "bargaining chip" in the US-China trade war, he added. According to an informed source in Pyongyang, Beijing was keen to arrange a visit to North Korea ahead of any encounter between Xi and Trump at the G20 summit -- with trip logistics finalised only last month. In recent days, hundreds of soldiers and workers have been sprucing up the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, pruning bushes and replanting flowerbeds on the approaches to the monument, which commemorates the millions of Chinese troops Mao Zedong sent to save the forces of Kim's grandfather Kim Il Sung from defeat during the Korean War. A detachment of soldiers in white jackets was also seen outside the Liberation War Museum -- which includes a section on the Chinese contribution -- potentially indicating that it may be on Xi's itinerary. 'Four to zero' It will be Xi's first trip to North Korea since taking power in 2012, though he visited the country as vice president in 2008. "China and the DPRK are friendly neighbours," CCTV said, adding that Xi and Kim have reached a "series of important consensus" in past meetings and that a new chapter of bilateral relations had begun. In contrast, Kim Jong-un has gone to China multiple times over the past year -- an unbalanced exchange that has not gone unnoticed in Pyongyang. According to diplomatic sources in the North Korean capital, after Kim's many trips to meet Xi, there were increasingly strong feelings in Pyongyang that the Chinese leader should reciprocate for reasons of saving face. "From a North Korean perspective, it's time for Chairman Xi to visit," said John Delury, an expert on US-China relations and Korean Peninsula affairs at Yonsei University in Seoul. "They do keep score and it's like four to zero," he recently told AFP. "So far, Xi has approached China-North Korea relations very much as a function of US-China relations and kind of calculated in terms of that." The visit also comes as negotiations between Trump and Kim have soured after the second summit in February broke up without a deal, failing to agree on what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief. Since then, Kim has accused Washington of acting in "bad faith" and given it until the end of the year to change its approach. Still, the nuclear situation is "under control for now", said Delury. "That creates a space, a window where Xi could make a visit without expecting like a missile test the day he leaves or something like that," he said.

China's Xi Jinping to visit North Korea this week ahead of G20

The Group of 20 major economies said they agreed a deal to reduce plastic waste that is choking the seas at a meeting in Japan on Sunday.

Under the agreement, G20 member countries committed to reducing plastic waste but gave little detail on how that would be done. They added that the steps would be voluntary and progress would be reported once a year, according to local media.

The Japanese government hopes to hold the first meeting in November, said newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun.

"It is great that we were able to make rules for all, including emerging and developing countries," Japanese environment minister Yoshiaki Harada said after the two-day meeting of the G20 environment and energy ministers' meeting.

Plastic pollution has become a global concern, particularly after bans imposed by China and other countries on the import of plastic waste from overseas.

Many countries, including Japan, have seen their waste pile up as a consequence.

Microplastics -- tiny pieces of degraded waste -- have attracted particular attention.

They absorb harmful chemicals, accumulating inside fish, birds and other animals, and are difficult to collect once in the water.

The framework agreed at the meeting in the central mountain resort of Karuizawa would be the first to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean involving not only rich nations but emerging economies as well.

'Legally binding' rules needed

The deal would be "the first step" to tackling plastic waste, Hiroaki Odachi of Greenpeace Japan said in a statement.

"However, it is insufficient to rely on countries' voluntary actions" to resolve the crisis, he said.

Only an estimated nine percent of plastics ever produced are recycled and campaigners say the only long-term solution to the plastic waste crisis is for companies to make less and consumers to use less.

"G20 countries should clearly announce that they will prioritise reducing generation of single-use plastics" along with recycling and reusing materials, Odachi said.

"Legally binding international rules with clear timelines and goals" are needed, similar to those in the Paris Agreement on climate, he added.

The 2015 Paris agreement commits signatories to efforts to cap global warming at "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit).

Japan will demand businesses charge for plastic shopping bags next year to help reduce waste, said Japanese industry minister Hiroshige Seko on Saturday.

Many countries in the world already charge for single-use bags or ban them outright.

The Group of 20 major economies said they agreed a deal to reduce plastic waste that is choking the seas at a meeting in Japan on Sunday. Under the agreement, G20 member countries committed to reducing plastic waste but gave little detail on how that would be done.

The Group of 20 major economies said they agreed a deal to reduce plastic waste that is choking the seas at a meeting in Japan on Sunday. Under the agreement, G20 member countries committed to reducing plastic waste but gave little detail on how that would be done. They added that the steps would be voluntary and progress would be reported once a year, according to local media. The Japanese government hopes to hold the first meeting in November, said newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun. "It is great that we were able to make rules for all, including emerging and developing countries," Japanese environment minister Yoshiaki Harada said after the two-day meeting of the G20 environment and energy ministers' meeting. Plastic pollution has become a global concern, particularly after bans imposed by China and other countries on the import of plastic waste from overseas. Many countries, including Japan, have seen their waste pile up as a consequence. Microplastics -- tiny pieces of degraded waste -- have attracted particular attention. They absorb harmful chemicals, accumulating inside fish, birds and other animals, and are difficult to collect once in the water. The framework agreed at the meeting in the central mountain resort of Karuizawa would be the first to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean involving not only rich nations but emerging economies as well. 'Legally binding' rules needed The deal would be "the first step" to tackling plastic waste, Hiroaki Odachi of Greenpeace Japan said in a statement. "However, it is insufficient to rely on countries' voluntary actions" to resolve the crisis, he said. Only an estimated nine percent of plastics ever produced are recycled and campaigners say the only long-term solution to the plastic waste crisis is for companies to make less and consumers to use less. "G20 countries should clearly announce that they will prioritise reducing generation of single-use plastics" along with recycling and reusing materials, Odachi said. "Legally binding international rules with clear timelines and goals" are needed, similar to those in the Paris Agreement on climate, he added. The 2015 Paris agreement commits signatories to efforts to cap global warming at "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit). Japan will demand businesses charge for plastic shopping bags next year to help reduce waste, said Japanese industry minister Hiroshige Seko on Saturday. Many countries in the world already charge for single-use bags or ban them outright.

G20 agrees a deal to tackle ocean plastic waste

&nbsp;Japan wants to make reducing the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nations-agree-significant-plastic-cuts-by-2030-un-203593"> glut of plastic waste in the oceans</a> a priority at the Group of 20 summits it is hosting this month as governments around the world crack down on such pollution.

Images of plastic debris-strewn beaches and dead animals with stomachs full of plastic have sparked outrage, with many countries, including more than two dozen in Africa, banning plastic bags outright.

The EU has voted to outlaw 10 single-use plastic items, including straws, forks and knives, by 2021. It has also set targets for all plastic packaging, the top source of plastic waste, to be recyclable by 2030.

Such moves are setting up a showdown with the oil industry, which is pouring billions into new facilities to produce more plastic and other petrochemical products, particularly in Asia.

Refiners such as India's Reliance Industries and China's Sinopec are seeking new revenue sources as electric cars become more popular and gasoline and diesel demand slow.

"If the world goes the direction of European targets, some markets can go from high growth to low growth or no growth. Profits could suffer," said Jeff Brown, president of energy consultancy FGE in Singapore.

Tackling plastic pollution has been less of a priority in Asia, which is the world's biggest producer of the material - and its waste.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, which is hosting the G20 summit, says he wants his country to lead the world in reducing marine plastic trash, including developing biodegradables and other innovations.

The June 28-29 meeting in Osaka, assembling 20 major economies, including China, Brazil, France and the United States, won't yield an agreement on targets or concrete steps, two officials involved in preparations told Reuters, speaking anonymously because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

A more likely outcome is for G20 environment ministers, gathering this weekend in the mountain town of Karuizawa, to propose ways to enact a vaguely worded "action plan" on marine plastic waste introduced at the 2017 summit in Germany.

Plastic Galore

Japan, while not a major marine plastic polluter, is the world's No. 2 consumer of plastic packaging per person after the United States.

Vegetables and fruit sold in supermarkets in Japan are commonly wrapped in plastic, sometimes individually. The cultural emphasis on hygiene, careful packaging and offering products in small portions adds to the problem.

Japanese bureaucrats are working on a law that would require retailers to charge customers for plastic bags - something many supermarkets already do.

Japan also plans to make the medal podiums at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics out of recycled plastic in an attempt to stir consumer awareness about the issue.

Activists say that although efforts to recycle and ban single-use items are needed, reducing plastic production is also crucial.

"There's a misconception that we can recycle our way out of this," said Neil Tangri, global plastics policy adviser at the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives in Berkeley, California.

"My fear is that (G20 leaders) will say that plastic production isn't the problem, it's waste management," he added. "We're saying plastic is a problem you need to tackle at the source."

The world produced about 380 million metric tons of plastic in 2015, according to research published in Science Advances journal. The World Bank says humans generated 242 million tons of plastic waste in 2016.

About 55% of plastic waste was discarded in 2015, 25% incinerated and 20% recycled. But since plastic was introduced into the consumer market in the 1950s, only 9% of the cumulative total has been recycled, the Science Advances study shows.

China Ban

Tackling plastic pollution became more of a global priority after China, which had been accepting a hefty chunk of the world's waste, banned imports at the start of 2018.

Boatloads of plastic debris have been diverted to Malaysia and other Southeast Asian nations, overwhelming them. Last month, Malaysia said it would ship 3,000 tons of garbage back to the countries it came from.

Asia is also home to the biggest contributors to the estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic trash that winds up in the ocean each year, according to research published in the journal Science.

The top five marine plastic trash offenders are all in Asia: China and Indonesia - both G-20 members - followed by the Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, that study shows.

Such litter inflicts $1.3 billion in damage annually to fishing, shipping and tourism industries in the Asia-Pacific.

Most commonly used plastic does not biodegrade. Over time in the ocean and exposed to sunlight, it breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics that are ingested by sea creatures, raising concerns about chemicals tainting human sources of food.

Plastic was even found last month at the bottom of the Marianas Trench, off the Philippines, the deepest place on Earth.

More Coming

The plastic output seems poised to increase, particularly in Asia.

The region's leading oil companies, including Sinopec, Reliance, Malaysia's Petronas and China's Hengli Petrochemical, are investing billions of dollars into new petrochemical facilities.

They see opportunities in producing household chemicals and materials for electronic goods, piping, packaging and textiles.

Packaging, which includes everything from plastic bags to bubble wrap, accounts for 44% of plastic production, according to industry estimates.

Tightening government policies could crimp that demand - something oil companies say they are monitoring closely.

"If the world keeps introducing bans on plastic bags and straws, our sales would decrease," said an official at a South Korean petrochemical maker, who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

"But plastic is still widely used in the industrial sector ... and demand from developing countries is growing," he said. "In the long term, we are looking to develop environment-friendly materials and plastics."

Japan's petrochemical industry wants to cooperate in tackling environmental issues, Takashi Tsukioka, the head of the Petroleum Association of Japan, told a news conference last month. Still, he warned that replacing plastic straws with wooden ones could lead to deforestation.

"We should, in the first place, focus on separating and recycling, which Japan has been doing, and then seek broad solutions, instead of jumping quickly to one approach," he said. "In the end, we should promote innovation."

Japan wants to make reducing the glut of plastic waste in the oceans a priority at the Group of 20 summits it is hosting this month as governments around the world crack down on such pollution.

Japan wants to make reducing the glut of plastic waste in the oceans a priority at the Group of 20 summits it is hosting this month as governments around the world crack down on such pollution. Images of plastic debris-strewn beaches and dead animals with stomachs full of plastic have sparked outrage, with many countries, including more than two dozen in Africa, banning plastic bags outright. The EU has voted to outlaw 10 single-use plastic items, including straws, forks and knives, by 2021. It has also set targets for all plastic packaging, the top source of plastic waste, to be recyclable by 2030. Such moves are setting up a showdown with the oil industry, which is pouring billions into new facilities to produce more plastic and other petrochemical products, particularly in Asia. Refiners such as India's Reliance Industries and China's Sinopec are seeking new revenue sources as electric cars become more popular and gasoline and diesel demand slow. "If the world goes the direction of European targets, some markets can go from high growth to low growth or no growth. Profits could suffer," said Jeff Brown, president of energy consultancy FGE in Singapore. Tackling plastic pollution has been less of a priority in Asia, which is the world's biggest producer of the material - and its waste. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, which is hosting the G20 summit, says he wants his country to lead the world in reducing marine plastic trash, including developing biodegradables and other innovations. The June 28-29 meeting in Osaka, assembling 20 major economies, including China, Brazil, France and the United States, won't yield an agreement on targets or concrete steps, two officials involved in preparations told Reuters, speaking anonymously because they were not authorised to speak to the media. A more likely outcome is for G20 environment ministers, gathering this weekend in the mountain town of Karuizawa, to propose ways to enact a vaguely worded "action plan" on marine plastic waste introduced at the 2017 summit in Germany. Plastic Galore Japan, while not a major marine plastic polluter, is the world's No. 2 consumer of plastic packaging per person after the United States. Vegetables and fruit sold in supermarkets in Japan are commonly wrapped in plastic, sometimes individually. The cultural emphasis on hygiene, careful packaging and offering products in small portions adds to the problem. Japanese bureaucrats are working on a law that would require retailers to charge customers for plastic bags - something many supermarkets already do. Japan also plans to make the medal podiums at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics out of recycled plastic in an attempt to stir consumer awareness about the issue. Activists say that although efforts to recycle and ban single-use items are needed, reducing plastic production is also crucial. "There's a misconception that we can recycle our way out of this," said Neil Tangri, global plastics policy adviser at the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives in Berkeley, California. "My fear is that (G20 leaders) will say that plastic production isn't the problem, it's waste management," he added. "We're saying plastic is a problem you need to tackle at the source." The world produced about 380 million metric tons of plastic in 2015, according to research published in Science Advances journal. The World Bank says humans generated 242 million tons of plastic waste in 2016. About 55% of plastic waste was discarded in 2015, 25% incinerated and 20% recycled. But since plastic was introduced into the consumer market in the 1950s, only 9% of the cumulative total has been recycled, the Science Advances study shows. China Ban Tackling plastic pollution became more of a global priority after China, which had been accepting a hefty chunk of the world's waste, banned imports at the start of 2018. Boatloads of plastic debris have been diverted to Malaysia and other Southeast Asian nations, overwhelming them. Last month, Malaysia said it would ship 3,000 tons of garbage back to the countries it came from. Asia is also home to the biggest contributors to the estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic trash that winds up in the ocean each year, according to research published in the journal Science. The top five marine plastic trash offenders are all in Asia: China and Indonesia - both G-20 members - followed by the Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, that study shows. Such litter inflicts $1.3 billion in damage annually to fishing, shipping and tourism industries in the Asia-Pacific. Most commonly used plastic does not biodegrade. Over time in the ocean and exposed to sunlight, it breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics that are ingested by sea creatures, raising concerns about chemicals tainting human sources of food. Plastic was even found last month at the bottom of the Marianas Trench, off the Philippines, the deepest place on Earth. More Coming The plastic output seems poised to increase, particularly in Asia. The region's leading oil companies, including Sinopec, Reliance, Malaysia's Petronas and China's Hengli Petrochemical, are investing billions of dollars into new petrochemical facilities. They see opportunities in producing household chemicals and materials for electronic goods, piping, packaging and textiles. Packaging, which includes everything from plastic bags to bubble wrap, accounts for 44% of plastic production, according to industry estimates. Tightening government policies could crimp that demand - something oil companies say they are monitoring closely. "If the world keeps introducing bans on plastic bags and straws, our sales would decrease," said an official at a South Korean petrochemical maker, who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media. "But plastic is still widely used in the industrial sector ... and demand from developing countries is growing," he said. "In the long term, we are looking to develop environment-friendly materials and plastics." Japan's petrochemical industry wants to cooperate in tackling environmental issues, Takashi Tsukioka, the head of the Petroleum Association of Japan, told a news conference last month. Still, he warned that replacing plastic straws with wooden ones could lead to deforestation. "We should, in the first place, focus on separating and recycling, which Japan has been doing, and then seek broad solutions, instead of jumping quickly to one approach," he said. "In the end, we should promote innovation."

G20 to tackle ocean plastic waste as petrochemical producers expand in Asia

Markets extended the previous day's gains in Asia on Tuesday (Jun 11), with investors turning their attention back to the China-US trade row and a planned meeting between the countries' leaders later this month.

Donald Trump's decision to drop threatened tariffs on Mexico after a last-minute <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-immigration-deal-significant-win-for-us-pompeo-226128">immigration deal </a>last week sparked relief across trading floors and led to hope that the row with Beijing could also end with some sort of agreement.

The gains, which follow another healthy Wall Street performance, are much needed since the US president shocked markets last month by hiking levies on US $200 billion of Chinese imports, blaming backsliding over their long-running trade talks.

Support is also coming from expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates as soon as next month in response to a string of soft US economic data and concerns about the impact of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-exports-grow-despite-us-tariffs-but-import-slump-most-in-nearly-three-years-225842">China stand-off.</a>

"What continues to grease the wheels of US equity markets and the one constant that keeps the S&amp;P (500) ticking is Federal Reserve free and cheap money, it's long been an established pattern," said Stephen Innes at Vanguard Markets.

But OANDA senior market analyst Edward Moya warned that while lower US central bank rates were a major boost, traders were ultimately keen to see the world's top two economies resolve their trade war.

"The recent global stock market rally has stemmed from expectations that the Fed will come to the rescue with a couple of rate cuts this year," he said in a note. "But that will not likely deliver fresh record highs with the US indexes unless we see a scaling back of tariffs between the US and China."

Oil uncertainty

In early trade Hong Kong rose 0.7 per cent, building on Monday's more than two per cent rally, while Shanghai was up 1.5 per cent.

Tokyo ended the morning 0.4 per cent higher, Sydney climbed 1.3 per cent and Singapore put on 0.5 per cent while Seoul added 0.3 per cent. Wellington was nearly one per cent up, with Taipei and Manila both strengthening 0.4 per cent.

Focus is now on the expected face-to-face between Trump and Xi Jinping at the G20 in Osaka at the end of June.

The US president told CNBC on Monday that a meeting had been planned but warned that if Xi did not turn up he would ramp up levies on all Chinese imports.

While expectations are for an agreement to eventually be made - which would be in the interests of both sides - Ray Attrill, head of forex strategy at NAB, said the "meeting is gearing up to be another major 'binary' risk event that should keep markets very edgy in the coming days and weeks".

Oil prices edged up after Monday's drop, which came on the back of uncertainties about an agreement between OPEC and other key producers led by Russia to cap output.

Innes said the market remains burdened by overproduction and waning demand.

"This is a real fear as with China slowing, the EU sickly and the US data starting to wobble, an economic downturn remains a clear and present danger," he said.

He warned prices could "drop to US$40 in a heartbeat" without the OPEC group and Russia agreeing to extend the output cuts.

Markets extended the previous day's gains in Asia on Tuesday (Jun 11), with investors turning their attention back to the China-US trade row and a planned meeting between the countries' leaders later this month.

Markets extended the previous day's gains in Asia on Tuesday (Jun 11), with investors turning their attention back to the China-US trade row and a planned meeting between the countries' leaders later this month. Donald Trump's decision to drop threatened tariffs on Mexico after a last-minute immigration deal last week sparked relief across trading floors and led to hope that the row with Beijing could also end with some sort of agreement. The gains, which follow another healthy Wall Street performance, are much needed since the US president shocked markets last month by hiking levies on US $200 billion of Chinese imports, blaming backsliding over their long-running trade talks. Support is also coming from expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates as soon as next month in response to a string of soft US economic data and concerns about the impact of the China stand-off. "What continues to grease the wheels of US equity markets and the one constant that keeps the S&P (500) ticking is Federal Reserve free and cheap money, it's long been an established pattern," said Stephen Innes at Vanguard Markets. But OANDA senior market analyst Edward Moya warned that while lower US central bank rates were a major boost, traders were ultimately keen to see the world's top two economies resolve their trade war. "The recent global stock market rally has stemmed from expectations that the Fed will come to the rescue with a couple of rate cuts this year," he said in a note. "But that will not likely deliver fresh record highs with the US indexes unless we see a scaling back of tariffs between the US and China." Oil uncertainty In early trade Hong Kong rose 0.7 per cent, building on Monday's more than two per cent rally, while Shanghai was up 1.5 per cent. Tokyo ended the morning 0.4 per cent higher, Sydney climbed 1.3 per cent and Singapore put on 0.5 per cent while Seoul added 0.3 per cent. Wellington was nearly one per cent up, with Taipei and Manila both strengthening 0.4 per cent. Focus is now on the expected face-to-face between Trump and Xi Jinping at the G20 in Osaka at the end of June. The US president told CNBC on Monday that a meeting had been planned but warned that if Xi did not turn up he would ramp up levies on all Chinese imports. While expectations are for an agreement to eventually be made - which would be in the interests of both sides - Ray Attrill, head of forex strategy at NAB, said the "meeting is gearing up to be another major 'binary' risk event that should keep markets very edgy in the coming days and weeks". Oil prices edged up after Monday's drop, which came on the back of uncertainties about an agreement between OPEC and other key producers led by Russia to cap output. Innes said the market remains burdened by overproduction and waning demand. "This is a real fear as with China slowing, the EU sickly and the US data starting to wobble, an economic downturn remains a clear and present danger," he said. He warned prices could "drop to US$40 in a heartbeat" without the OPEC group and Russia agreeing to extend the output cuts.

Asian markets enjoy fresh rally with focus on Trump-Xi meeting

President Donald Trump warned Monday he will slap huge new tariffs on China if his counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-exports-grow-despite-us-tariffs-but-import-slump-most-in-nearly-three-years-225842">Xi Jinping </a>doesn't show up for a planned face-to-face meeting later this month and insisted the Chinese economy will never overtake the United States.

Trump delivered his hardline message ahead of the G20 summit on June 28-29 in Osaka, Japan, which could mark a turning point in the trade dispute between the world's two biggest economies.

Asked if a failure by Xi to come to the summit would lead to tariffs kicking in on a further $300 billion in Chinese imports, Trump told CNBC television,&nbsp;"Yes it would."

Trump said the meeting was "scheduled" and that he expects Xi to attend.

"I would be surprised if he didn't go," Trump said. "I think he's going, I haven't heard that he's not."

However, as US-Chinese tensions mount, a spokesman for Xi's government said last month that he had "no information at present" on Trump-Xi talks.

Trump has been trying to strongarm China into fundamental change on trade policies that the president argues have for decades put the United States at an unfair disadvantage.

The two sides seemed to be close to striking a bargain until talks stalled last month. Washington says that Beijing walked away at the last minute, while the Chinese side has signalled it is prepared for a long fight against unreasonable demands.

Trump has already imposed 25 per cent duties on $200 billion of Chinese imports. China has responded with punitive tariffs on $60 billion in US goods.

Last month he threatened to slap tariffs on a further $300 billion of goods -- virtually everything American companies import from China -- if no breakthrough is achieved.

The US Trade Representative office has launched the process to impose the huge new duties, with a hearing scheduled for June 17 -- but Trump has said he has yet to decide whether he will ultimately impose the levies.

'They'll never catch us'

Trump has made tariffs a pillar of his foreign policy, arguing that US economic power puts him in a win-win situation when he threatens rivals like China and even close allies, such as Canada, the European Union and Mexico.

The United States says that China cheats in bilateral trade by forcing US importers to give up intellectual property, subsidizing its own companies, and running a huge trade surplus with Washington.

Trump told CNBC that by ratcheting up tariffs, he can ultimately force manufacturers to leave China.

"Those companies are going to move into other locations and there won't be a tariff," he said.

In a game of tit-for-tat, Trump added, China will lose simply because they have far fewer US imports they can target. "We have the big, big advantage," he said.

"China's going to make a deal because they're going to have to make a deal."

Trump's tariff rattling has spooked global markets and also run into pushback from many in Congress.

But in his lengthy CNBC interview, Trump said he is doing what previous presidents avoided because they "either didn't understand it or they were bored by it or they weren't smart enough."

His overall aim, the Republican said, is to ensure that China never overtakes the United States as the world's top economy.&nbsp;

"Had a Democrat gotten in..., China would have caught us," he said. Now "they'll never catch us."

President Donald Trump warned Monday he will slap huge new tariffs on China if his counterpart Xi Jinping doesn't show up for a planned face-to-face meeting later this month and insisted the Chinese economy will never overtake the United States.

President Donald Trump warned Monday he will slap huge new tariffs on China if his counterpart Xi Jinping doesn't show up for a planned face-to-face meeting later this month and insisted the Chinese economy will never overtake the United States. Trump delivered his hardline message ahead of the G20 summit on June 28-29 in Osaka, Japan, which could mark a turning point in the trade dispute between the world's two biggest economies. Asked if a failure by Xi to come to the summit would lead to tariffs kicking in on a further $300 billion in Chinese imports, Trump told CNBC television, "Yes it would." Trump said the meeting was "scheduled" and that he expects Xi to attend. "I would be surprised if he didn't go," Trump said. "I think he's going, I haven't heard that he's not." However, as US-Chinese tensions mount, a spokesman for Xi's government said last month that he had "no information at present" on Trump-Xi talks. Trump has been trying to strongarm China into fundamental change on trade policies that the president argues have for decades put the United States at an unfair disadvantage. The two sides seemed to be close to striking a bargain until talks stalled last month. Washington says that Beijing walked away at the last minute, while the Chinese side has signalled it is prepared for a long fight against unreasonable demands. Trump has already imposed 25 per cent duties on $200 billion of Chinese imports. China has responded with punitive tariffs on $60 billion in US goods. Last month he threatened to slap tariffs on a further $300 billion of goods -- virtually everything American companies import from China -- if no breakthrough is achieved. The US Trade Representative office has launched the process to impose the huge new duties, with a hearing scheduled for June 17 -- but Trump has said he has yet to decide whether he will ultimately impose the levies. 'They'll never catch us' Trump has made tariffs a pillar of his foreign policy, arguing that US economic power puts him in a win-win situation when he threatens rivals like China and even close allies, such as Canada, the European Union and Mexico. The United States says that China cheats in bilateral trade by forcing US importers to give up intellectual property, subsidizing its own companies, and running a huge trade surplus with Washington. Trump told CNBC that by ratcheting up tariffs, he can ultimately force manufacturers to leave China. "Those companies are going to move into other locations and there won't be a tariff," he said. In a game of tit-for-tat, Trump added, China will lose simply because they have far fewer US imports they can target. "We have the big, big advantage," he said. "China's going to make a deal because they're going to have to make a deal." Trump's tariff rattling has spooked global markets and also run into pushback from many in Congress. But in his lengthy CNBC interview, Trump said he is doing what previous presidents avoided because they "either didn't understand it or they were bored by it or they weren't smart enough." His overall aim, the Republican said, is to ensure that China never overtakes the United States as the world's top economy. "Had a Democrat gotten in..., China would have caught us," he said. Now "they'll never catch us."

Will slap huge new tariffs on China if president Xi doesn't show up: Trump ahead of G20 meet

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