France Regrets G20 Meeting Outcome on Trade, Climate Change

French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said he regretted that a meeting of world financial leaders on Saturday had failed to reach satisfactory conclusions on climate change and trade.

Sapin highlighted successes of the G20 meeting in Germany such as a determination to fight tax avoidance, clamp down on terrorist financing and strengthen private investment in Africa.

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“I regret nevertheless that our discussions today were not able to reach a satisfactory conclusion on two priorities that are absolutely essential in today’s world,” he said in a statement.

He cited the fight against climate change and trade, saying France was convinced of the need for “regulated free trade” that was profitable for everybody.