Greer urges G20 to back Trump tariff agenda, takes aim at China

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urged G20 major economies to refrain from coercive actions on food trade and re-examine the prevailing post-World War Two tariff system during a Group of 20 meeting of trade ministers. The Trump administration aims to revive American manufacturing through tariffs, trade deals, and securing critical supply chains.

G20 member economies, except China, agreed earlier in September to tackle non-market economic policies and trade distortions causing over-reliance on exports. China rejected accusations of creating excess capacity through industrial policies and accused Western countries of using the issue to justify protectionism. Greer also criticized the Most Favored Nation tariff system, stating it constrains economies' ability to respond to distortive policies and adapt to changing market conditions.

Excess production from non-market policies flows into global markets, pressuring producers and workers elsewhere. Greer further targeted the US's use of tariffs on steel, aluminum, and Chinese goods, as well as new global and country-specific tariffs. Brazil's trade minister noted some agreement on trade policies not distorting food distribution for humanitarian reasons.

US tariffs on 59 countries and the European Union were imposed over allegations of lax enforcement around forced labor, providing artificial price advantages and eroding trust in the global trading system. Meanwhile, some G20 countries seek to diversify trade away from the US host, with Canada and India working on a trade deal by year-end.