Finance chiefs of G20 countries expressed optimism for an agreement on a common position on trade and other global challenges on Friday despite U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs which have overshadowed their meeting.

South Africa has downplayed the absence of US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent at a meeting of G20 finance chiefs, saying it believed the world’s biggest economy is still “committed” to the grouping as the gathering starts in Durban.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has warned that South Africa stands to lose around 100,000 jobs due to US tariffs if a trade deal is not renewed.In an interview with Bloomberg Television, Godongwana said the country’s automotive sector,