Support from German and Japanese Leaders for Free Trade Following Unprecedented G20 Statement

Leaders of Germany and Japan, shortly after a G20 statement that, at the request of the United States, made no mention of a commitment to 'free trade', have declared their support for open and free trade. Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, and Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, emphasized on March 20 that they will continue their efforts to maintain free trade while also calling for the implementation of agreements in this area between Japan and the European Union within the current calendar year. In a speech in Hanover, Germany, Merkel stated, 'We seek open and free markets.' She added, 'In an era where there are many disputes over free trade, democratic values, and open borders, it is a good sign that there is no disagreement on these issues between Japan and Germany.' The German Chancellor did not directly mention the United States or its President. However, her remarks seem to relate to the policies and actions of the 45th President of the United States. Mr. Trump supports the so-called 'America First' policies, calling for what he describes as 'fair' trade, rather than necessarily 'free' trade, between countries; during both the election campaigns and after winning the elections, he has questioned some of the most important trade agreements of the United States with other parties, demanded changes to them, or ended negotiations for their implementation. The U.S. President has not hidden his criticisms of his country's trade relations with Germany and China. Merkel herself was a guest of Mr. Trump in Washington just two days before her speech in Hanover. Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, is also currently in Hanover during his European trip. Mr. Abe stated that his country 'wants to be at the forefront of protecting open systems alongside Germany.' Just before these remarks, in another city in Germany, the ministers of the 20 largest economies in the world, in their final statement, unusually refrained from emphasizing their commitment to 'open and free trade.' The G20 economic ministers, who gathered in Baden-Baden, stated in their final statement that they will continue to cooperate to strengthen trade among their countries. According to reports, the G20 economic ministers complied with the request of the U.S. government and refrained from emphasizing their commitment to free and open trade, and did not raise criticisms of protectionist policies.