Osaka G20 Meet: Climate Change and Trade protectionism given the maximum focus
- In Foreign Policy
- 10:12 AM, Jul 07, 2019
- Ranabir Bhattacharyya
The Osaka G20 Meet has given a much-needed breathing space amidst a turbulent international situation over various matters and perspectives. As 19 countries and the European Union came together, various matters which were discussed amidst much noise and upcoming challenges within tricky political relations. Primarily, a common ground has been achieved on climatic change, one of the biggest global threats to the living population. No doubt, it can be definitely said that the meet was not all about awkward photo ops, but an attempt to bring issues under an umbrella and quest for a consensus on several issues. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe chaired the historic meet at Osaka.
Prior to the Osaka G20 Meet, it was apprehended that trade would be the main focus of discussion, especially the stance of key players like US, Russia. The rich country leaders have called for a free, fair and transparent environment for trade, keeping markets open without any protectionist approach. No doubt, as the US and China have decided to resume trade talks after the much-coveted meeting between Trump and Xi, there is still hope. It is presently clear that Washington won't be levelling new tariffs on Chinese exports. The agreement between Russia and Saudi Arabia extending oil production agreement was another interesting development. As Japanese Prime Minister Abe pointed out, reform of the WTO is unavoidable and countries discussed in detail why it is important to fight protectionism in best interests of global trade.
There is no denying the fact that newly elected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received much praise for his leadership. In fact, his meet with Donald Trump definitely added another feather to Indo-US bilateral ties. Prior to the meeting, there were sensitive issues like India's plans to purchase an S-400 missile defence system from Russia, ties with Iran and oil imports and India's interest in buying telecom equipment from China and expertise regarding 5G technology.
Reducing tariffs and concessions on US products was a great boost to the existing equation. Let's not forget the trilateral meet between Russia, China and India within Osaka G20. The informal meeting of the World leaders was a gradual extension of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held earlier. Whether it is Russia's integration into the BRI, security and oil issues in the Middle East and Central Russia. It is too early to say that there has been an attempt to create an alternative to Western liberal order or de-dollarization of Global economy. Obviously, the stress was on forming a ground map for equal and indivisible security architecture in the Eurasian region.
It is too early to say that the countries have agreed on climate change. In fact, there have been contrasting arguments in this regard. French President Emmanuel Macron stressed on the importance to adhere to the Paris agreement on reducing greenhouse emissions. There is definitely uncertainty among the countries regarding the G20 Riyadh summit scheduled to be held in November 2020. The controversy aftermath Journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder has definitely put a question over Saudi Arabia and its role.
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