As the US doubles down on its overhaul of global trade, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is welcoming his G20 counterparts to Milwaukee for two jam-packed days of ministerial sessions and bilateral meetings.
The gathering, which sets the stage for the G20 summit in Miami at the end of the year, follows similar engagements on finance and innovation last month.
Tensions are highest this week: The US is still trying to force concessions from key trading partners, including through a ban on some Canadian imports that took effect earlier this week.
“At some point, will there be a deal [with Canada]? I mean, presumably,” Greer told reporters last night. “But … it’s not urgent for us.”
Attendees are slated to discuss steel overproduction and tour Rockwell Automation before huddling Wednesday afternoon and most of Thursday.
“We thought it would be really helpful to bring trade ministers here, to Milwaukee, to be a showcase,” Greer said. “I could take them to great places like Sun Valley or other things like that, but we wanted them to see American factories” so they can “see what we’re trying to protect.”
All events, except for Greer’s press conference tomorrow, will be closed to reporters.