G-20 nations pledge to boost trade despite growing protectionism

Shanghai

THE world's top 20 economies will work to boost sluggish global trade despite growing protectionism, overcapacity concerns and uncertainty over "Brexit", G-20 trade ministers said on Sunday at a meeting in Shanghai.

"The global recovery continues but it remains uneven and falls short of our ambition for strong, sustainable and balanced growth. Downside risks and vulnerabilities persist," the trade ministers said in a joint statement, adding that trade should remain "an important engine" to spur global growth.