Divisions between world leaders over the direction of global economic policy were blown open again on Friday as a G20 summit quickly ran into headwinds over free trade. Government officials in Hamburg, Germany, are struggling to agree on a final statement that would bridge differences between the US and most of the other G20 countries on trade, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters. Work on language acceptable to all on climate was abandoned by the sherpas and left to the summiteers to hash out. On both issues, officials pointed the finger at US recalcitrance. "The sherpas still have a big chunk of work ahead on the statement on trade," Merkel told reporters after chairing the first session. "These discussions are very difficult - I don't want to beat around the bush." Merkel is trying to find common ground at one of the most highly anticipated summits in years as leaders struggle to adjust to the era of Donald Trump and America First. The last major summit of G7 leaders in...
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