Leaders of G-20 countries call for free and fair trade environment

Leaders of the G-20 major economies have called for a free, fair trade environment.

In a communique at the end of a two-day meeting in Osaka, Japan, the leaders  urged the need to resist protectionism as global growth remained low and risks were tilted to the downside.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said G-20 agreed on fundamental principles backing a free trade system. He said that the group had also pledged stronger action to improve the dispute settlement system of the World Trade Organization.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told a news conference all participants have confirmed their aspiration to work further on improving the global trade system, including the aspiration to work on WTO reform.