G20 trade ministers meeting held in Milwaukee only reached a joint statement on food issues

Q: 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. How does China evaluate this meeting? What role has China played?

Answer: At this G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting, members exchanged views on issues such as opposing the weaponization of food, dealing with overcapacity, eliminating forced labor, and adjusting the principle of most-favored-nation treatment set by the US chairmanship, and reached a joint statement on food issues. The remaining issues have not yet formed outcome documents.

During the 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 was the result of consensus and joint efforts of all G20 members.

Issues such as overcapacity and forced labor have been highly controversial since its 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, most 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.

During the meeting, China always upheld an open and cooperative attitude, participated constructively in discussions on various issues, communicated closely with members, and gave full play to its role in promoting talks and cooperation. At the same time, China always adheres to its principles, resolutely safeguards the common interests of itself and developing countries, and strives to promote G20 unity and cooperation.

Looking forward to the upcoming G20 Miami Summit, China is willing to work with the host country and all members to adhere to consensus, unity and cooperation, and jointly contribute to the summit to achieve positive and pragmatic economic and trade results.