First G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting

The event was held via videoconference and ended with the adoption of a joint communiqué.

08/02/2024

Within the framework of the Italian G7 Presidency, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani chaired on February 7 the first G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting, via videoconference.

Italy decided to hold this meeting at the beginning of the year to contribute to the success of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), which will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, at the end of February.

“This is a crucial meeting, also given the current geopolitical context, characterised by increasing tensions and conflicts which directly impact on trade exchanges, ports and the world economy”, stated the Deputy Prime Minister and added “Italy is strongly convinced that a reformed WTO is fundamental to regulate the world trade for the benefit of our businesses and global development, including that of Africa, a priority for our Presidency”.

The Italian G7 Presidency wants to define trade actions according to four essential priorities: transforming the G7 into a supporting element for a multilateral trade system by placing the WTO at its core; continuing the discussions on the promotion and respect of equal conditions on third markets (the so-called Level-Playing Field); promoting debates on the link between trade and environmental sustainability; analysing the relation between a fair, accessible and sustainable trade and economic security. The G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting ended with the adoption of a joint communiqué. A second meeting with the G7 Trade Ministers is scheduled for July in Reggio Calabria.

The G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting ended with the adoption of a joint communiqué – pdf.

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