On the 18th (local time), the leaders of the Group of Twenty (G20) adopted a joint declaration at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, emphasizing the spirit of 'multilateral trade' and establishing a consultative body to combat global hunger and poverty. This G20 meeting, held shortly after the U.S. presidential election, confirmed heightened concerns over the potential return to power of President-elect Donald Trump, who has advocated for America First policies and protectionism.
According to the full text of the joint declaration released by the G20 Secretariat on the same day, the G20 leaders agreed to urge international cooperation on social integration and the eradication of hunger and poverty, sustainable development and energy transition, addressing the climate crisis, and reforming global governance institutions including the United Nations. The theme of this year’s G20 summit is 'Building a Just World and a Sustainable Earth.'
At the active proposal of Brazil’s President Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva, the chair of the G20, the leaders pledged to "fully respect tax sovereignty while cooperating effectively to tax ultra-high net worth individuals." Specifically, the cooperation measures include "sharing best practices, encouraging discussions on tax principles, and establishing anti-tax avoidance mechanisms including addressing potentially harmful tax practices."
Additionally, the G20 leaders expressed "deep concern over the catastrophic situation witnessed in Gaza from a humanitarian perspective and the escalation in Lebanon," while calling for a comprehensive ceasefire. They also expressed support for the U.S.-proposed "permanent ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of all hostages." Regarding the war in Ukraine, they stated that they "welcome all constructive initiatives supporting a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace."
Notably, the declaration also included warnings against the rise of protectionism due to President-elect Trump’s return to the White House. The G20 leaders emphasized that "a rules-based, non-discriminatory, fair, open, inclusive, equitable, sustainable, and transparent multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO) must be ensured," and stressed that "discussions will continue to address challenges surrounding trade and to establish an effective dispute resolution system."
Brazil, the chair country of this year’s G20, worked hard to produce a visible consensus and ultimately secured agreement on the joint declaration despite opposition from some countries. However, Argentina, led by the hard-right President Javier Milei, protested by stating, "We clearly reject certain issues."
According to sources cited by the Associated Press, Argentina strongly opposed the wealth tax agenda at this G20 meeting, despite having accepted it as recently as July, and also opposed clauses promoting gender equality. Brazilian media outlet G1 reported that President Milei expressed a negative stance on the climate crisis and opposed measures in the joint declaration aimed at promoting concrete actions. President Milei supports President-elect Trump, who denies climate change and opposes taxation on the ultra-wealthy. This has led some to criticize that "Milei is acting almost like a special envoy for Trump."
Although the joint declaration was adopted at this meeting, it was reported that no agreement was reached on securing new climate finance resources sought by the United Nations to support developing countries in addressing global warming. With President-elect Trump’s inauguration, who denies climate change and emphasizes America First policies, there are growing concerns that key initiatives such as multilateralism and climate change response, which the G20 has been advancing, could face major turmoil. The Associated Press reported, "All promises made by outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden at the G20 could be overturned by the next administration (Trump)."
Meanwhile, an unusual situation occurred at the G20 summit where President Biden was unable to participate in the group photo. On that day, participating leaders including President Yoon Suk-yeol, President Lula, and Chinese President Xi Jinping stood on a platform printed with the words ‘Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty’ and took a group photo in a friendly atmosphere. However, the photo did not include current U.S. President Biden and some other leaders. As the leaders were dispersing, President Biden walked out late from the conference hall side.
Considering the international stature of the United States, it is rare for a sitting president to miss a group photo at an international event due to ‘lateness’ rather than ‘intent.’ Local media G1 reported, "President Biden arrived late to the photo shoot and was excluded from the official photo," adding that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were also absent from the photo. However, the White House press pool stated that this photo was not the official G20 summit commemorative photo but rather a photo commemorating the hunger and poverty eradication meeting. The White House explained that the group photo was taken earlier than scheduled.
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