SYDNEY — Wedged in between the Brexit vote and the US presidential election, leaders of the world’s major economies meet this weekend in China needing to mount a realistic defence of the free trade and globalisation they have long championed.At stake is the post-Second World War concord on globalisation that proponents say has helped lift so much of the world out of poverty. China, the host of the Group of 20 (G-20) meeting, has itself been one of the biggest winners from free trade, becoming the world’s leading exporter.But Britain’s shock vote in June to leave the EU and the rise of protectionist Donald Trump in the US has shaken that accord ahead of the G-20 summit in Hangzhou that starts on Sunday."This meeting — the first since Brexit and the US presidential primaries — should send a clear message that world leaders have heard people’s concerns about globalisation and are taking steps to better understand and address them," said associate professor Mark Melatos at the Universit...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.