Fighting Protectionism Approved

Group of Seven Summit meeting in Taormina, Italy, was concluded with the leaders’ declaration, which included firm intention to fight protectionism. Trying to protect protectionism or defying international commitment to tackle global warming, United States President Donald Trump was isolated from other leaders. Japan could not play a sufficient role as the bridge between Trump and other Western leaders.

The focus of the leaders in the last moment for wrapping up the meeting was whether they would include the words of opposing protectionism. Raising a slogan of “America First,” Trump had been reluctant to declare anti-protectionism, which might contradict to his domestic policy of revitalizing industry. But, free and open trade had been a fundamental cause of those developed countries to have the annual leaders’ meeting.

As a member of G7, Trump had to give in adding anti-protectionism to the declaration. “We reiterated our commitment to keep our markets open and to fight protectionism, while standing firm against all unfair trade practices,” describes the declaration. Acknowledging that trade has not always worked to the benefit of everyone, the declaration also takes care of the sufferers of globalism with commitment “to adopting appropriate policies so that all firms and citizens can make the most of opportunities offered by the global economy.”

It is fair to say that the leaders have kept their integration to be careful about inappropriate trade practices of advancing country represented by China. “We push for the removal of all trade-distorting practices – including dumping, discriminatory non-tariff barriers, forced technology transfers, subsidies and other support by governments and related institutions that distort markets – so as to foster a truly level playing field,” says the declaration. G7 targeted China of its steel export with low price.

The leaders urged Trump staying in the framework of Paris Agreement on climate change. “It is important for U.S. to exercise its leadership on the issue of climate change,” reportedly told Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the meeting. While German Chancellor Angela Merkel revealed that they had a sharp discussion on the issue, news reports did not make clear of the details.

Abe recognized the meeting as the first opportunity for North Korean issue to be the top agenda of G7. As the matter of fact, Taormina Summit will be memorized as the debut of President Trump. While Japan has to maintain close relationship with U.S. for its security policy in volatile Northeast Asia, it is not clear whether Abe can keep on supporting that unilateralist President. Losing grip in G7 may be the interest of China or Russia. Trump might also be a representative of those two.