Buenos Aires summit exposes G20 rifts

The G20 summit, bringing together the leaders of the largest economies on the globe, will meet today in Buenos Aires, in a climate defined more by its disagreements and divisions than common ground. The likelihood of a stunted discussion, devoid of meaningful conclusions looms on the horizon of the summit, more than previous years. Argentina, the host country, has been working hard to paper over the cracks of discord, and is pushing for an outcome that shows unity. However, dialogue will be dominated by the two main rivals, the United States and China, who are immersed in a trade war on a global scale, inevitably pulling those at the table to take sides. Trade aside, conflict with regards to positions on climate change will be sure to raise the temperature of discussions, not to mention the simmering crisis in the Ukraine, involving Russia. All of this is in addition to the uncomfortable presence of Saudi prince Mohamed bin Salman, suspected of having ordered the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, which, in combination with the above tensions threatens to make this a G20 flush with political argument and attack. The American and Chinese presidents will be the main protagonists of the summit, as Trump argues low-cost Chinese exports undermine the US economy.