Trump Highlights G20 Finance Meeting in North Carolina, Praises U.S. Economic Strategy
Asheville, North Carolina: U.S. President Donald Trump has highlighted discussions held during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, while praising the state’s resilience and his administration’s economic approach.
In a message shared from Trump’s account, the president described the conversations at the gathering as productive and positive. He also used the occasion to emphasize his administration’s focus on economic expansion, lower taxes and reduced regulation.
The G20 finance meeting was held in Asheville from August 31 to September 1, 2026, bringing together finance ministers, central bank governors and senior economic officials from major economies. The U.S. Treasury had identified economic growth, global imbalances, sovereign debt, financial regulation and other economic priorities among the key areas for discussion.
Trump Praises North Carolina
Trump’s message placed particular emphasis on North Carolina, describing the state as strong and resilient. He also referred to the region’s recovery following Hurricane Helene and said his administration had worked to accelerate federal assistance.
The reference comes as Asheville and western North Carolina continue to rebuild from the devastating storm that struck the region in 2024. The U.S. Treasury had previously said that selecting Asheville as the G20 venue was intended to spotlight the area’s recovery and resilience.
Focus on Economic Growth
A major theme of Trump’s message was economic growth. He praised Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for his work at the G20 gathering and argued that other countries should pursue policies designed to encourage investment and economic activity.
Bessent’s G20 agenda has emphasized private-sector-led growth, productivity, modernization of financial regulation, global economic imbalances and sovereign debt. The IMF also said after the meeting that participants broadly recognized the importance of increasing potential growth while maintaining sound fiscal and monetary policies.
Trade and Global Economic Tensions
The Asheville meeting took place against a complicated international economic backdrop. G20 members discussed trade imbalances and other issues affecting global growth, with disagreements emerging over how countries should address distortions in international trade.
The United States pushed for stronger action on persistent trade imbalances, while China opposed some of the language sought by Washington. The disagreement ultimately prevented a consensus communiqué, with the U.S. issuing a chair’s statement instead.
Bessent’s Role in U.S. Economic Policy
Trump’s praise for Bessent reflects the Treasury secretary’s prominent role in representing the administration’s economic priorities internationally.
During the Asheville gathering, Bessent advocated policies intended to encourage private investment and economic expansion. The meeting also brought finance officials into discussions with business leaders, highlighting the administration’s emphasis on private-sector participation in economic policymaking.
The G20 meeting demonstrated both areas of cooperation and significant differences among the world’s major economies. For the Trump administration, however, the gathering provided an opportunity to promote its economic agenda while encouraging other countries to place stronger emphasis on growth and investment.
