BEIJING: China played a constructive role and maintained communication with other members at the G20 trade ministers’ meeting held in Milwaukee, the United States, from September 30 to October 1, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.
Trade ministers and representatives from G20 members and guest nation Poland exchanged views on four issues proposed by the US presidency: opposing the weaponization of food, addressing excess production capacity, eliminating forced labor, and adjusting the most-favored-nation principle. The meeting reached a joint statement on food, while no outcome documents were adopted on the other issues. On food, many emerging market and developing members, including China, called for food-importing and food-exporting countries to jointly maintain stable food supply chains. They also stressed that countries have the right to take measures in pursuit of domestic public policy objectives and food security.
The Ministry of Commerce said the US presidency positively considered these views, which were fully reflected in the joint statement. It said the outcome was the result of consultation and joint efforts by all G20 members. Significant differences emerged over excess production capacity and forced labor. The ministry said many members expressed different views on the issues and on proposals to issue joint statements and establish cooperation mechanisms. As a result, no outcome documents were adopted on the issues.
On the most-favored-nation principle, China and the vast majority of members stressed during discussions that the principle is a cornerstone of the multilateral trading system, providing stability and predictability for global trade. The US presidency did not put forward a proposed outcome document on the issue, according to the ministry.
The Ministry of Commerce said China maintained an open and cooperative approach throughout the meeting, actively participated in discussions, maintained close communication with other members, and worked to promote dialogue and cooperation. It added that China upheld its principles, safeguarded its own and developing countries’ common interests, and worked to promote G20 unity and cooperation.
–The Daily Mail-CGTN news exchange item
