Trade discussions in G20 ‘very difficult’: Merkel

CAIRO – 8 July 2017: The world’s leading economies called for free and faire trade at the G20 Summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday.

Merkel added that “the discussions are very difficult, I don't want to talk around that," Merkel said, according to AP.

The G20 summit kicked off on Friday in Hamburg, Germany where leaders from the world's top economies convened to discuss issues including terrorism, climate change and trade.

On the sidelines of the summit, U.S. President Donald Trump said he will discuss with UK Prime Minister Theresa May an anticipated trade agreement between both countries, which he described as “very, very big deal, very powerful, great deal for both countries,” AP reported.

While the summit was taking place, violent riots took place in Hamburg between anti-globalization activists and police.

Founded in 1999, the G20 Summit takes place annually, bringing together the world’s biggest economies including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, France, Britain, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

Attendees are heads of state, finance ministers and central bank governors.