The Ministry of Commerce responded to reporters’ questions on the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting: Consensus was reached on food issues, but no results were achieved on issues such as overcapacity.

China News Service, Beijing, October 4 (Reporter Yin Qianyun) The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce of China answered reporters’ questions on the 4th about the Group of Twenty (G20) Trade Ministers’ Meeting and related situations.

From September 30 to October 1, the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It is understood that the meeting reached a joint statement on the issue of opposing the weaponization of food, but did not form an outcome document on the issues of dealing with overcapacity, eliminating forced labor, and adjusting the principle of most-favored-nation treatment.

The spokesperson mentioned that during consultations on food issues, many emerging market and developing members, including China, have proposed that food importing and exporting countries should jointly maintain the stability of the food supply chain. At the same time, all parties have the right to take measures based on domestic public policy objectives and ensuring food security. These opinions have been actively considered by the country presiding over them and have been fully reflected in the joint statement. "It should be said that this achievement is the result of consensus and joint efforts of all G20 members."

The spokesman said that issues such as overcapacity and forced labor have been highly controversial since the establishment. Currently, G20 members are generally subject to additional Section 301 tariffs on forced labor, and most of them are the targets of Section 301 investigations over overcapacity. In this context, many members have put forward different views from different perspectives on the chairmanship setting the above-mentioned topics and promoting the issuance of joint statements and the establishment of cooperation mechanisms. In the end, because most members had different opinions, the meeting failed to reach an outcome document on relevant issues. China noted that the US presidential statement issued after the meeting mentioned that it, together with two G20 countries, issued a statement on the issue of forced labor outside the G20 framework.

Regarding the issue of adjusting the most-favored-nation principle, the spokesperson said that the vast majority of members, including China, emphasized during the discussion that this principle is the cornerstone of the multilateral trading system and provides stability and predictability for global trade. Once shaken, it will seriously damage the foundation of the multilateral trading system. According to the opinions of all parties, the chairmanship did not propose an outcome document on this topic.

The spokesperson said that looking forward to the upcoming G20 Miami Summit, China is willing to work together with the host country and all members to adhere to consensus, unity and cooperation, and jointly contribute to the summit's positive and pragmatic economic and trade results. (over)