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

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Wednesday called for G20 major economies to refrain from coercive actions on food trade, tackle industrial overcapacity and re-examine the prevailing post-World War Two tariff system.



In opening remarks to a Group of 20 meeting of trade ministers, Greer laid out the Trump administration's goals to revive American manufacturing through tariffs, trade deals and measures to secure critical supply chains.



The agenda for the US-led G20 trade meeting follows the Trump administration's pattern of using the forum to focus on China's industrial subsidies, excess capacity and non-market-driven economic policies.



At a G20 finance ministers meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, earlier in September, all G20 member economies except China agreed to take action against"non-market" economic policies and trade distortions that cause over-reliance on exports.



China, a G20 member, has rejected claims that its industrial policies have created excess capacity, and accuses Western countries of using the issue to justify protectionist measures.