U.S. G20 Finance Talks to Focus on Growth, Trade Imbalances and Iran

The United States will use next week’s G20 finance meeting to discuss ways to boost economic growth, address global trade imbalances and deal with debt problems.

Iran sanctions are also expected to be an important topic, as Washington seeks stronger support from other major economies for its pressure campaign against Tehran.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will host finance ministers and central bank governors from the G20 on Monday and Tuesday in Asheville, North Carolina.

A senior Treasury official said the United States wants the meeting to focus on practical measures to support growth, increase investment and improve global economic stability. Washington will also raise the issue of Iran sanctions during Bessent’s meetings with other G20 officials.

• US Treasury to push pro-growth policies at G20 finance meeting
• Trade imbalances, debt transparency and global supply chains on agenda
• Scott Bessent to seek stronger G20 support for Iran sanctions

U.S. Pushes for More Balanced Global Trade

The Treasury is expected to call for changes to economic policies that Washington believes have contributed to large trade imbalances. U.S. officials argue that economies should focus more on productivity, innovation and investment instead of producing excess goods for export.

The issue is closely linked to the Trump administration’s broader trade policy. Washington has repeatedly criticized economic models that create large manufacturing surpluses and put pressure on American industries. China has been a major target of those concerns, although the Treasury official did not single out Beijing during the briefing.

The United States also wants G20 countries to work together on strengthening global supply chains for important resources, including energy. Treasury officials are expected to encourage more private-sector involvement in discussions about investment, productivity and innovation.

Business leaders will also have an opportunity to raise concerns about regulations that they believe make it harder to invest and expand. The United States hopes such discussions will lead to policies that encourage businesses to invest more and support economic growth.

The meeting follows the Treasury’s broader G20 priorities for 2026. These include promoting pro-growth policies, addressing global imbalances, improving debt transparency and making it easier to restructure debt when necessary.

Iran Sanctions Add Pressure to G20 Talks

Iran is expected to be another major issue during the meeting. The senior Treasury official said Bessent plans to urge G20 countries to follow U.S. sanctions on Iran and warned that countries continuing certain business activities with Tehran could face secondary sanctions.

Washington has been increasing pressure on Iran by targeting its sources of revenue and limiting its access to the international financial system. The Treasury sees sanctions as an important part of its effort to pressure Tehran.

According to the official, the issue is expected to come up during Bessent’s bilateral meetings with G20 counterparts. The United States wants other major economies to take a stronger approach toward companies and financial institutions that continue doing business with Iran.

The meeting will also take place as the United States faces concerns over U.S. Treasury yields and government borrowing. The Treasury official said yields have increased since the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran began in late February, but could fall if inflation continues to ease.

The Treasury is also looking for ways to reduce long-term borrowing costs. One option is increasing buybacks of longer-term Treasury securities, including bonds with maturities of 10 to 30 years.

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The Asheville meeting will give Washington an opportunity to promote its economic priorities while working with other major economies. However, differences over trade, Iran and financial policy could make it difficult for the G20 to reach agreement on every issue.