Trump’s Trade War Tests G-20’s Resolve to Stay on Course (2)

As some of the world’s most powerful finance ministers meet at a beach-side resort in South Africa, this year’s Group of 20 host is trying to keep its agenda on course.

A global trade war, initiated by US President Donald Trump, and the acrimony it has wrought between major economies means that the group is struggling to keep its focus on South Africa’s stated aims, which include debt relief, sustainable finance and reforms to the world’s development-finance institutions.

That’s all complicated by the fact that the US, the world’s biggest economy, hasn’t sent its top officials to the events ...