Rubio flags challenges in finding consensus as G20 talks wrap
ATLANTA: The United States on Saturday urged against using food trade as a tool for “economic or political coercion,” while acknowledging the difficulty of reaching a G20 consensus as foreign ministers wrapped talks.
The G20 foreign ministers' talks in Atlanta, Georgia concluded on Saturday with the United States urging against using food trade as a tool for economic or political coercion. However, reaching a consensus proved challenging amid ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the difficulty in finding a solution to the food security problems caused by disrupted energy, fertiliser, and agricultural product shipments.
The US G20 presidency emphasized the necessity of eliminating the use of food and agricultural products as means of coercion. The G20 partners acknowledged the importance of secure, resilient, and uninterrupted energy flows, including safe navigation through waterways. The talks also aimed to pressure Russia, particularly regarding a ceasefire in the Black Sea, a crucial agricultural export route. Despite the progress, achieving a ceasefire remains a complex task, given the ongoing war.
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