G-20: World Aligns Against Trump Policies Ranging From Free Trade To Climate Change
The growing international isolation of the United States under President Trump was starkly apparent Friday as the leaders of major world economies mounted a nearly united opposition front against Washington on issues ranging from climate to free trade.
At a gathering of the Group of 20 world economic powers – normally a venue for drab displays of international comity – there were tough clashes with the United States and even talk of a possible transatlantic trade war.
They were also a warning signal of Washington’s diminished clout, as the leaders of the other nations who gathered in Hamburg mulled whether to fix their signatures to statements that would exclude Trump or to find some sort of compromise.
The Trump administration has blamed China for what it says is a “global overcapacity” of steel, essentially arguing that China’s government is subsidizing its steel industry and allowing producers to create and export so much steel that it drives down prices and makes it difficult for U.S. producers to compete.
It is hoping to galvanize other countries at the G-20 to work together to confront China over its government support for its steel industry, with the idea that joint pressure could be more effective and remove the possibility that the United States has to move alone.
