G20 trade ministers meeting fails to reach agreement on forced labor and overproduction, China may push back

[Washington Current Affairs] The G20 trade ministers' meeting was held on the 1st in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the Midwest of the United States, over a two-day period starting the day before. U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Greer said at a press conference on the 1st that an agreement could not be reached on a statement due to opposition from some countries over issues such as forced labor and overproduction. It appears that there was a backlash from China.

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Greer said there was a "very constructive and candid discussion" on the issue of overcapacity. Participating countries expressed "extremely strong concerns." Many countries and regions, including the United States and Japan, have criticized China for exporting cheap products through forced labor and overproduction due to massive government subsidies.

Greer said he agreed with the statement on the "weaponization of food" through coercive trade measures. "This is an important step to ensure agricultural products are not used as a means of economic and political coercion," he said.