The most important trade advice one can give to leaders participating in the G-20 London Summit is, Do no harm. The risk of harm is real, since the group’s composition and preparatory process, both oriented to financial issues, are ill-suited to trade or the World Trade Organization (WTO). Some countries important in the WTO are not invited to London, but many members of the G20 have little or no role in WTO negotiations in Geneva. Officials responsible for trade policy have not been involved in developing the texts for leaders. Nevertheless many analysts want the G20 to take an activist role on trade. Leaders should resist that temptation in favour of playing a catalytic role.

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