German Chancellor Angela Merkel leads the weekly cabinet meeting of the German government at the chancellery in Berlin, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (The Associated Press)
BERLIN – Germany has taken over the presidency of the Group of 20 world powers, with Chancellor Angela Merkel insisting protectionism isn't the answer to fears about globalization.
Germany's yearlong presidency started Thursday and will culminate in a summit in Hamburg in July. Merkel said in a video message that the stability of the world economy and "responsible global climate policy" will be central issues.
Merkel said "there will be no return to a world before globalization" but it can be shaped in ways that put people at the forefront. She added: "Isolation, new nationalism and protectionism will not help us in this."
The G-20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, France, Britain, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the U.S. and European Union.
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