Russia has criticised United States trade policies, warning that protectionist measures and tariffs risk undermining the international trading system.
Russia’s Economic Development Minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, made the remarks during a two-day meeting of G20 officials in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where trade ministers gathered amid concerns over US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
Reshetnikov called on Washington to help preserve the existing international trade framework, saying it was at risk of being dismantled.
He said countries appeared to be abandoning established trade rules in an effort to protect their domestic economies, while the alternative system that could replace them remained unclear.
According to Reshetnikov, the current trend was increasingly moving away from multilateral arrangements towards bilateral deals and what he described as “the right of the strong”.
He said Russia was particularly familiar with the consequences of trade restrictions, alleging that its exports had faced sustained efforts to limit access to international markets.
Reshetnikov also dismissed several issues highlighted by the United States for discussion at the G20, including eliminating forced labour, preventing the weaponisation of food trade and addressing industrial overcapacity.
He argued that the meeting should focus instead on what he considered more immediate challenges facing global trade.
The G20 discussions were taking place against the backdrop of heightened tensions over US tariffs, which have prompted concerns among trading partners about their potential impact on global commerce.
Some participating countries were also expected to explore ways of diversifying their trade relationships and reducing dependence on the US market in response to the tariffs.
