MBS mingles with G20 leaders as Trump fuels summit tensions

G20 leaders on Friday opened annual talks rent by the deepest divisions since their first summit 10 years ago, as US President Donald Trump came under fire and Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler came in from the cold.

Participants of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, pose for the family photo on November 30, 2018 (AFP / Alexander NEMENOV)

G20 leaders on Friday opened annual talks rent by the deepest divisions since their first summit 10 years ago, as US President Donald Trump came under fire and Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler came in from the cold.

Trump was attacked for destroying the group's past unity on trade and climate change. But he won a breakthrough with the signing of a new trade pact for North America and, having ignited a trade war with China, touted "good signs" ahead of a dinner with President Xi Jinping.

The summit began in the Argentinian capital with a traditional "family photo" by the leaders of a group whose relationships range from warm and friendly to chilly and distrustful.

Outside, as Argentina goes through a painful economic crisis, protesters gathered to denounce the government for spending freely on the summit while the public endures rocketing inflation and unemployment.

They paraded with signs attacking Trump and the International Monetary Fund, whose largesse is keeping Argentina afloat at the cost of hard-hitting austerity measures.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, under pressure himself after his security forces seized three Ukrainian ships, set the tone for a combative two days by condemning the "vicious" use of sanctions and trade protectionism.

The target was clear, as Trump -- who canceled a planned meeting with Putin in Buenos Aires -- tears up the stability promoted by the G20 powers when they first convened in November 2008 in the grip of financial crisis.

Putin's attack, and similar criticism of Trump's isolationist stance by French President Emmanuel Macron, capped an incident-packed buildup to the G20 that included flare-ups over Ukraine and Saudi Arabia.

- Long-lost friend -

Putin grinned broadly and welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman like a long-lost friend with an enthusiastic hand-shake after the group photo, where Trump looked on somberly and Xi stood impassively.  Read More...