SEPT. 1, 2026 — U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent answers questions from the media during a news conference as the G20 finance meetings wrap up in Asheville, North Carolina. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) —High-level G20 finance meetings wrapped up in Asheville Tuesday, Sept. 1, bringing finance ministers, central bank leaders and business officials from around the world to the Omni Grove Park Inn.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the talks focused on growing the global economy, strengthening supply chains, addressing debt, and improving financial literacy.
But the group did not reach a unanimous joint statement. Bessent said 19 of the 20 member countries agreed on a chair’s statement, with China as the only dissenter.
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“Well, it is clear that the country with the world’s largest and unsustainable current account surplus, People’s Republic of China, was the dissenter,” Bessent told reporters.
The secretary also said bringing the international event to Asheville could provide more than $20 million in local benefits through visitor spending and worldwide media attention. He said several delegates told him they planned to stay in the area beyond the meetings.
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“I’ve had numerous of the delegates tell me that they’re here, they’ve never thought of coming to this part of the United States again, and they plan to spend another three or four days,” Bessent said.
When asked about direct recovery help for western North Carolina nearly two years after Helene, Bessent did not announce anything new. He said North Carolina could benefit as global economies grow, pointing to the state’s agriculture and manufacturing industries.
“Look, in terms, that isn’t this forum. We did have several bilateral conversations. And North Carolina is an ag state. And we have, in our previous trade negotiations with China, we secured large soybean purchases. We secured 17 billion of ag purchases. We are seeing that as other countries grow, then North Carolina will grow with it,” Bessent added.
