Rubio urges G20 nations to strengthen economic cooperation despite differences

ATLANTA — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on G20 member countries Friday to strengthen economic cooperation and pursue practical solutions to shared global challenges, emphasizing the importance of collaboration despite differences in national interests.Speaking at a welcome reception for foreign ministers attending the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, Rubio said countries must work together to build a stronger global economic future.”The economic challenges facing our countries are complex, and they are interconnected, because we all face these challenges. We must all work together to address them,” Rubio said.The reception brought together senior diplomats from G20 countries, including Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, ahead of the two-day ministerial meeting.Rubio said President Donald Trump’s administration wanted the G20 to refocus on its core economic mission and deliver tangible results for member countries.“Our interests may not always align, but we should always seek to work together to advance them when and where they do align,” he said.The US secretary of state highlighted economic discussions held during Washington’s G20 presidency, including trade, fiscal and monetary policy, emerging technologies and energy.He also welcomed Poland’s participation as a full participant in this year’s G20 process, citing the country’s economic growth and increasing international influence.”President Trump believes their economic success and growing global influence is exactly what the G20 needs to tackle the major economic challenges we all face, and we’re very excited to have them with us here today and this week,” Rubio said.Rubio thanked Atlanta for hosting the gathering, describing Georgia and the broader American South as regions playing an increasingly important role in shaping the United States’ economic future.He expressed hope that the foreign ministers’ meeting would establish a strong foundation for the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit and help identify shared policy priorities to support long-term economic prosperity.The two-day ministerial gathering brings together top diplomats from the world’s leading economies ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, scheduled for Dec. 14-15 in Miami, Florida.