EDITORIAL –
“The liberal idea has started eating itself… Millions of people live their lives, and those who propagate those ideas are separate from them.”
Vladimir Putin
President of the Russian Federation
27 June 2019
In an interview with the Financial Times prior to the G20 Summit in Osaka, President Putin claimed liberalism was obsolete with politicians disconnected from the wider public. With western democracies on the attack to prove him wrong, this family photo encompasses many challenges for the globe. Taking place in the middle of US-Iran hostilities and a continuing trade war with China, are the liberal values that western society is built on really dead? These are the key takeaways from G20 2019.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL TRADE TAKE CENTRE STAGE
The G20 Declaration, often a burden more than a commitment for many leaders, focused on a commitment to reinvigorating trade. This was due to protectionist measures being threatened by President Trump and the trade war with China. This included:
- Pledging to reform the World Trade Organisation;
- Commitments to ensure the International Monetary Fund is well-resourced; and
- States operate in a transparent manner which involves free, fair and non-discriminatory trade.
Climate change formed the other main pillar of the Declaration, with states noting they must “recognise the urgent need” to address climate change and other crucial environmental issues, including the promotion of renewable energy. Yet, the United States didn’t budge, reiterating it would withdraw from the Paris Agreement next year regardless of the pledge made by the other world leaders. This means it will withdraw one day after the 2020 Presidential Election, where President Trump may be re-elected or removed.
“BACK ON TRACK” – TRUMP LOVES CHINA AGAIN?
President Trump and President Xi Jinping met during one of the largest trade wars in history. Trump and Xi recommitted to negotiations in order to end the impasse. President Trump also backtracked on his threat to impose an additional $300 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports.
The major takeaway is for Huawei. A ban that hampered their software support, US companies are now able to sell to Huawei again. This reverses the actions of the US Commerce Department from May which stopped tech firms from contracting with Huawei.
Although described as a win for the United States, this is obviously a win for Beijing with Huawei, a supposed threat to American national security, having its ban rescinded. Nevertheless, the trade war is not over and the only announcement has been for talks to restart, nothing more, nothing less.
MAY AND PUTIN ARE BEST FRIENDS (NOT!)
In the tradition of G20s, meetings occurred between global leaders. One major meeting was that between outgoing British PM Theresa May and Russian President Vladimir Putin. May, still furious over the nerve agent attack in Salisbury in March 2018, refused to give Putin the appearance of joy by clearly showing his disdain. She went as far as to say that Moscow had been “irresponsible and destabilising” for allowing this “despicable act.” At her last G20, May really let out the big guns, not failing to disappoint Brits back home.
TRUMP/PUTIN 2020 – DON’T MEDDLE RUSSIA
While May was uncomfortable meeting the Russian president, Trump looked as if he was in his natural environment. Joking with Putin, Trump said about the journalists in the room:
“Get rid of them. Fake news is a great term, isn’t it? You don’t have this problem in Russia but we do.”
Yet it was his remarks about next years elections that raised eyebrows, outwardly saying to a smirking Putin:
“Don’t meddle in the election, please.”
In one of the sharpest terms, the somewhat relaxed meeting took a sharp term with Trump wagging his finger before an amused Putin. I wonder what that means for 2020.
FRANCE, CHINA AND THE UN TEAM UP FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
A joint press conference was held between representatives from France, the UN and China as a call for urgent action on climate change. Much to the annoyance of the Americans who wanted no mention of climate change, this followed French President Macron giving leaders an ultimatum: Paris Deal in the G20 Declaration, or France won’t sign.
At the press conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said:
“We must promote green infrastructure, green investment, and green financing. We look forward to working with like-minded parties to build a green Silk Road to achieve high-quality development and to leave behind a clean and beautiful world for future generations.”
With such a declaration from China, will we see further trade talks encompass renewable energy and provisions for more commitment to fighting climate change? Although countries like the UK have recently committed to zero emissions by 2050, this will be highly unlikely in the short term.
TRUMP BLAMES OBAMA FOR TURKEY SANCTIONS
Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 defence missiles due to be delivered next month has raised the possibility of US sanctions. Blaming the possibility of sanctions on Obama-era restrictions on NATO, Trump committed himself to look at all solutions to avoid imposing sanctions on Turkey. In a meeting with President Erdogan, Trump discussed looking at everything he could do to stop Turkey and reverse the ill will caused by the restrictions imposed by President Obama.
Erdogan himself raised tensions with Saudi Arabia, bringing up the killing of Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018, singling out Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Adding fuel to the flame, he reiterated the suspects in the murder must be taken to Istanbul for trial, much to the dismay of the Crown Prince as many of the suspects are members of his inner circle. Its fair to say Erdogan has had a busy few days.
MR. TRUMP GOES TO THE DMZ
After Osaka, President Trump travelled to South Korea to meet President Moon Jae-in. However, while in Osaka he said he’d like to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the Demilitarised Zone to say ‘hello.’ Let’s wait and see if Trump will spontaneously meet his opponent for the third time after their conferences in Singapore and Vietnam.
WHERE TO NEXT? IS LIBERALISM DEAD?
We have just touched the surface of the discussions that occurred. One major accomplishment for Australia was the agreement reached to pressure social media companies to halt the spread of violent terrorism online after the recent attacks in Christchurch. Other countries discussed the international labour chain and their own bilateral relations.
We have to wait till next year for the next G20. If controversy continues, this may put strains on next year’s host nation – Saudi Arabia. Yet, by next year we will have many different circumstances. The EU will have a new leadership, Donald Trump may be a lameduck or re-elected president, North Korea may still be flaring, and Iran-US hostilities may be further flared.
On a final note, President Putin’s claims about western democracy is blatantly incorrect. It is undeniable that there are serious challenges, especially after the Global Financial Crisis and in the wake of issues surrounding fake news. Nevertheless, the coming together of the various states at the G20 highlights the commitment to work together to preserve these common values regardless of what may come.
