In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” co-hosts Ken Wasylik and Sandi Siegel share insights from the recent G20 Trade Ministerial, which brought diplomats from around the world to Milwaukee.
Siegel said representatives from more than 60 countries were in attendance, adding it was “really exciting” for Milwaukee to be in the spotlight as the host city. It was held ahead of the upcoming 2026 G20 Miami Summit planned for December.
“I think Milwaukee was chosen this year because, for the U.S., there is such a focus in our agenda of manufacturing and supporting manufacturing,” Siegel said. “And obviously we’re seen as a manufacturing hub here in Wisconsin.”
Wasylik highlighted some of the top priorities for the office of the U.S. Trade Representative during the meetings, including steel overcapacity, also noting tariffs were top-of-mind for attendees.
He added Canadian officials at the conference were emphasizing negotiations with European countries as well as India, amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
“A lot of it was not only the tariffs, but basically what are other countries doing in reaction to the tariffs,” he said. “Some countries are taking the position that they want to negotiate [with] the United States, and some countries are taking the position that they’re going to fight back, as we’ve seen with the Canadians and the Chinese.”
The discussion includes top takeaways from remarks made by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, ranging from the falling U.S. trade deficit with China and commerce with Canada to the administration’s criticisms of the World Trade Organization.
Siegel touches on the G20 discussions around forced labor, noting ministers didn’t come to an official agreement during the conference, leaving questions for her and others dealing with shifting rules around this issue.
“So now what, is that going to change the duties or how we’re implementing these additional 301 duties, forced labor duties?” she said. “So that was unclear what the deliverable on that will be.”
Talking Trade is hosted by E.M Wasylik Associates Managing Director Ken Wasylik and M.E. Dey & Co. CEO Sandi Siegel and sponsored by the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Carroll University and Michael Best Strategies.
