China Says It Promoted Dialogue and Cooperation at G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting

Dragon Media News Desk

China said it had played an active role in promoting dialogue and cooperation with other G20 members while upholding its principles at the recent trade ministers’ meeting. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce made the remarks on Sunday in response to a media question about the meeting, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on September 30 and October 1.

Members exchanged views on issues proposed by the US presidency, including preventing the weaponization of food, addressing overcapacity, eliminating forced labour and reconsidering the Most-Favoured-Nation principle in trade. The ministry said members reached a joint statement on food, but issued no outcome documents on the other issues.

On food security, China and other emerging and developing economies said food-importing and food-exporting countries should work together to maintain stable supply chains. They also argued that all parties should be able to take measures to meet domestic public policy objectives, including safeguarding food security. The ministry said the US presidency had given these views positive consideration and that they were reflected in the joint statement, which it described as the result of consensus-building among all G20 members.

The ministry said overcapacity and forced labour were highly controversial from the outset. It claimed that G20 members were subject to additional US Section 301 tariffs under the pretext of addressing so-called forced labour, and that many were targets of Section 301 investigations over alleged overcapacity. The ministry added that, after the meeting, the US issued a chair’s statement on forced labour with two other countries outside the G20 framework.

China and most other members described the Most-Favoured-Nation principle as a cornerstone of the multilateral trading system, providing stability and predictability for global trade. They said undermining the principle would seriously damage the system’s foundations. The ministry said the US presidency did not propose an outcome document on the issue in light of members’ views.

Looking ahead to the G20 Leaders’ Summit in December 2026, China said it was ready to work with the presidency and all members to build consensus and contribute practical outcomes on economic and trade issues.