G20 Rejects Use of Food as Geopolitical Weapon: Indonesia's Trade Minister

At the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 30 September-1 October 2026, Indonesia's Trade Minister Budi Santoso announced that member nations agreed to reject the use of food commodities as instruments of geopolitical pressure.

Budi Santoso said in a press release following the meeting that food is related to the continuity of life and that attempts to use it as a means of coercion cannot be justified. He emphasized that food should serve as a bridge between nations rather than a tool for political leverage.

In addition to the food security issue, the meeting addressed several other significant topics, including excess capacity in trade, forced labor practices, and the Most Favored Nation (MFN) principle under the World Trade Organization (WTO). Santoso noted that collaborative efforts are necessary to tackle these challenges while respecting the diverse economic policies of each member country.

Regarding excess capacity, Santoso highlighted the need for assessments based on specific evidence relevant to each sector, considering factors such as supply-demand dynamics, capacity utilization, and market behavior. He argued that high levels of excess capacity or trade imbalances do not automatically indicate structural issues.

He explained that every assessment regarding excess capacity must be based on analytical findings and specific evidence, not political labels. Indonesia's approach involves diagnosing issues before taking action, protecting without escalating tensions, and fostering transformation through cooperation.

On the subject of forced labor, Santoso reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to eliminating such practices as part of protecting workers' rights and dignity. He stated that protecting these rights should not be used as a political tool to exert control over other nations. He remarked that no country should gain a competitive advantage through forced labor, nor should any nation gain strategic influence by defining and judging the violations of others based solely on its own criteria.

Santoso said Indonesia has demonstrated its commitment to this cause by ratifying nine out of ten fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and through regulations prohibiting the import of goods produced through forced labor.