G20 Argentina: Rifts laid bare as world leaders meet Published duration 30 November 2018 Related Topics Killing of Jamal Khashoggi

media caption Vladimir Putin and the Saudi crown prince high-five

World leaders have held the opening session of their annual G20 summit, with any number of disputes and disagreements on the table.

Host president, Argentina's Mauricio Macri, said the solution was "dialogue, dialogue and dialogue" and called for a clear message of shared responsibility.

But US President Donald Trump has already cancelled meeting Russia's Vladimir Putin over Ukraine.

And huge differences remain on climate change, trade and the Khashoggi affair.

The G20, made up of 19 of the world's most industrialised nations plus the EU, accounts for 85% of the world's economic output and two-thirds of the world's population.

Its meetings, which began in 2008, are an opportunity for members to develop global policies tackling major issues - but many of the key decisions will be made in one-on-one encounters.

There is massive security for the summit in Buenos Aires, with a bank holiday declared for Friday and the city's main business district shut down.

Protesters angry at the money spent on the summit while Argentina struggles through tough austerity demonstrated outside the meeting.

Snub test

Analysis by James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent

Meeting world leaders at the G20 summit was a test for Mohammed bin Salman to see who would snub him.

He is the only Arab leader in the G20 and already stood out in his traditional dress amid a sea of suits. And at times he looked uncertain, even nervous. Some of his counterparts shared a word or two but few went out of their way to shake his hand.

So the optics of the summit, to use the diplomatic jargon, were not that great for MBS.

What have the opening exchanges told us?

The world leaders were all called on to the stage and assumed their position for the traditional family photograph.

image copyright Getty Images image caption The G20 photo ahead of Friday's plenary session

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stood on the outside of the photo, far away from Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

This is the crown prince's first major diplomatic test since the murder in Turkey of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a key critic of the government. Saudi Arabia has blamed "rogue agents" but suspicion has fallen on the prince for ordering the killing.

After the photo was taken, the crown prince did manage a hearty exchange with Mr Putin.

French President Emmanuel Macron held a five-minute exchange with the crown prince during which, a French official said, Mr Macron had conveyed "very firm" messages over the Khashoggi affair.

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Mr Trump had a "friendly meeting" with the crown prince, Saudi media said, although the president later said there had been "no discussion".

UK Prime Minister Theresa May also met the crown prince. A Downing Street spokesman said the PM had "stressed the importance of ensuring that those responsible for the appalling murder of Jamal Khashoggi are held to account" and that "such a deplorable incident" should not happen again.

In addition Mrs May held a 15-minute meeting to discuss trade with Mr Macri. Their two nations have long disputed sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.

Mr Macri's opening address to the summit admitted there would be issues of disagreement that needed to be managed.

media caption So how does a G20 summit work?

He called for consensus on sustainable development, the future of work, food supply, climate change and international trade, adding: "I am an optimist".

What will go on on the sidelines?

There are certain to be plenty of bilateral, trilateral or even larger get-togethers, although the one that will not be taking place is the highest-profile.

Mr Trump said he would not meet Mr Putin because three Ukrainian vessels and 24 sailors seized by Russia in the Black Sea near Crimea had not been returned.

"We don't like what happened. Nobody does," he said on Friday.

media caption Why tensions between Russia and Ukraine are so high

Mr Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Moscow regretted the decision. But he said: "If this is so, the president will have a couple of extra hours in the programme for useful meetings on the sidelines of the summit."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has blamed the crisis "entirely" on Russia and said she would raise the issue with Mr Putin.

The second-highest profile meeting will also involve Mr Trump. He will have dinner on Saturday with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

The key issue there will be the nations' trade tariffs dispute.

The US has hit a total of $250bn (£196bn) of Chinese goods with tariffs since July, and China has retaliated by imposing duties on $110bn of US products.

China said consensus was increasing on a deal but that differences remained.

After earlier indicating pessimism on an agreement, Mr Trump said: "They want to and we'd like to. There are some good signs. We'll see what happens."

Mr Putin has also weighed in, with a thinly veiled attack on Mr Trump's America First policy. The Russian president condemned "dishonest competition" along with "vicious" sanctions and protectionist measures.

The Brics group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, issued a statement saying protectionism ran counter to the "spirit and rules of the World Trade Organization".

What has been achieved so far?

Mr Trump described the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) - which replaces the Nafta free trade deal - as "probably the greatest trade deal ever".

"All of our countries will benefit greatly," he said.

Will there be a joint G20 communiqué?

European diplomats told Associated Press there has been tough haggling over a final statement.

Argentine officials indicated differences on trade could be overcome.

However, that will still leave the obstacle of climate change.

media caption Why have thousands of demonstrators been marching against the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Mr Trump has not hidden his objection to collective action on the issue.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said in Buenos Aires that "this is a make-it-or-break-it moment" on the issue.