US Treasury hosts G20 finance ministers in Asheville to discuss American economic power

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is welcoming G20 finance ministers and central bank governors to Asheville, North Carolina, for a two-day meeting that kicks off August 31. The gathering runs through September 1 and falls under the US G20 presidency, giving Bessent’s team significant control over what gets discussed and what doesn’t. Deputy-level officials already met on August 29-30 to lay the groundwork. What’s on the table The official focus areas include pro-growth policies, resolving global economic imbalances, sovereign debt transparency, and supply chain resilience. One significant agenda item is the enforcement of US sanctions on Iran, with Washington pressing G20 partners for tighter economic compliance. The Trump administration has signaled it wants to streamline the G20 Finance Track, keeping discussions tightly focused on macroeconomic fundamentals like productivity and innovation. The US is explicitly pushing for a “results-oriented” agenda. Finance officials from major economies including Saudi Arabia and Japan have confirmed attendance. Business leaders are also expected to participate, reflecting the administration’s emphasis on private-sector involvement in shaping...