The lengthy communique issued at the end of the recent Group of 20 summit in Cannes has been largely overlooked in the media, which have understandably focused on the financial crisis facing the eurozone. It is probable that many leaders did not even read the full text that had been prepared in advance by officials, but they endorsed it and must therefore be considered to have agreed on its contents.
The sections on agriculture and food, economic development, and climate change deserve the particular attention of governments. But in the context of economic growth, which must surely be the number one priority, the section headed "Avoiding Protectionism and Reinforcing the Multilateral Trading System" should be given publicity. The G-20 leaders reaffirmed their standstill commitments until the end of 2013 and their undertaking to "roll back any new protectionist measures that may have arisen including new export restrictions." This commitment should be noted by parliaments including the U.S. Congress as well as by officials and ministers involved with trade issues.
The next paragraph declares that the leaders "stand by the Doha Development Agenda" but recognize that "to contribute to confidence, we need to pursue in 2012 fresh, credible approaches to furthering negotiations." The G-20 also expressed support for "strengthening the World Trade Organization."