Milwaukee, October 1 : US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer jokingly described Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal as a “trade minister for life” while opening the two-day G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Greer also held talks with Goyal on the sidelines of the ministerial gathering.
In his opening remarks, Greer said efforts to reshape the global trading system would extend beyond the tenure of the ministers attending the meeting. His comments came as the United States used its G20 presidency to push discussions on trade imbalances, industrial overcapacity and changes to existing international trade rules.
Greer outlined four major priorities for the US during the ministerial: preventing the “weaponisation” of food, addressing structural excess industrial capacity, reviewing the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) principle and eliminating forced labour from supply chains.
On MFN rules, Greer said the principle has long been central to the global trading system but argued that its unconditional application could restrict governments’ ability to respond to market distortions and changing economic conditions.
He also highlighted the issue of excess industrial capacity, saying concerns raised by G20 leaders a decade ago had become more pronounced. According to Greer, Washington has responded through tariffs and bilateral agreements aimed at reducing trade deficits and strengthening supply chains.
Using Milwaukee’s location as a reference, Greer pushed back against the idea that contentious trade matters should simply be left to discussions at the World Trade Organization in Geneva. He said both cities were situated on lakes, adding that important trade discussions could take place in Milwaukee as well.
Greer also referred to a 1959 speech by former US President John F. Kennedy delivered at the same venue, drawing a parallel between concerns over American competitiveness at that time and current debates about the future of the global economy.
The meeting’s discussions were preceded by a visit by G20 trade ministers to a Rockwell Automation facility in Milwaukee. Greer said the visit was intended to give delegates an insight into American manufacturing and the type of industrial economy the Trump administration seeks to promote.
A significant development came from the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity, where participating countries adopted the “Milwaukee Framework” to strengthen cooperation on excess steel production. The framework covers areas including trade remedies, supply-chain monitoring and action against transhipment.
Greer said individual governments would decide their own approach to steel imports and tariffs, while arguing that greater coordination among countries could help address the problem of excess capacity.
Goyal, meanwhile, is representing India at the ministerial and is holding bilateral discussions with counterparts from major economies. New Delhi has said it supports a rules-based, open, inclusive, transparent and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system, with the WTO remaining at its centre.
The Milwaukee meeting is also providing an opportunity for India and the US to continue negotiations on their proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement. Goyal’s meeting with Greer is part of ongoing efforts to advance a balanced and mutually beneficial pact and work towards an interim agreement based on the joint statement issued by the two countries in February 2026.
The two ministers’ engagement comes amid continued discussions over tariffs and market access between New Delhi and Washington. The talks are also taking place against the backdrop of broader US efforts to reshape international trade arrangements.
Before the formal G20 discussions, Goyal met senior executives from American manufacturing and technology companies at a roundtable organised by the National Association of Manufacturers. He encouraged US businesses to expand their presence in India, work with small and medium enterprises and explore partnerships in advanced manufacturing, technology and resilient supply chains.
The G20 trade meeting is bringing together ministers from major developed and emerging economies to discuss global commerce, industrial policy and supply chain issues. Further sessions are scheduled for Thursday, followed by a press conference by Greer and the concluding ministerial session.