Obama, Brown on the Record: G-20 Summit

Obama, Brown on the Record: G-20 Summit


The second test is to commit to taking the action necessary to bring about a resumption of growth, push back against the global recession, and support families and businesses.

The third test is to ensure, by international economic cooperation and by strengthening our international economic institutions, we support growth in emerging markets and developing countries.

The fourth test is to reject protectionism and kick-start global trade, and I suggest that an absolute minimum of $100 billion of trade finance that is so desperately needed.

Fifth, we have an obligation to help the poorest, those most vulnerable, but least able to respond to the crisis, by meeting our Millennium Development goals and keeping our pledges on aid.

Both the United Kingdom and the United States are also embarked on a transition to becoming low-carbon economies, because the President and I share the conviction that green energy technologies will be the major driver of our future economic growth and we can create millions of green-collar jobs in the world for the future.

Now, we have some tough negotiations ahead. It will not be easy. But I know from my talks this week, and from my discussions with President Obama today, that the world does want to come together; that Britain and America working together can help make this consensus not just something that is agreed on paper, but which truly delivers for people everywhere who are worried about their jobs and their hopes and their family budgets.

Today, we, the G20 leaders, will begin our discussions. Tomorrow, we must make decisions. And that is what we will do.

We’ve also discussed how we rebuild Afghanistan by complementing our military action with defense, diplomacy, and development — putting new resources into civilian support for the Afghan reconstruction.

The President and I also discussed our hopes that Iran will make the right choice and take advantage of the international community’s willingness to negotiate, and how we will renew our efforts to deliver security and peace for both the Palestinians and Israel.

Mr. President, I’m honored to be working with you so closely. We share a personal friendship. I believe we can continue to work together for the common good. I repeat: The whole of the United Kingdom is delighted and privileged that you’re with us today. Thank you.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you so much, Gordon.

Good morning. I am very pleased to be in London, especially with weather of the sort we’re seeing today. And I want to thank Prime Minister Brown for hosting us, for his wife taking Michelle on a tour of some wonderful projects around the city, for his leadership throughout this challenge. I have to say it’s not just Gordon and Sarah that have been very hospitable — I had a chance to see their two sons and we talked about dinosaurs a little bit — (laughter) — in between discussions of Afghanistan and Iran. So we’ve had a wonderful time.


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