Sánchez will pressure alongside Lula at the G20 summit to approve a global tax on billionaires

The President of the Government, Pedro Sancheztravels this Monday to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) to participate in the G20 summit that will be held on the 18th and 19th. The usual meeting of world leaders continues to be marked by the geopolitical context and the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. But, for the first time in recent years, the objective is to return to some “social” issues that have been somewhat shelved.

This is stated by sources from Moncloa, who highlight the role of the Brazilian Government headed by Lula da Silva. In this sense, it is negotiated to include in the joint declaration a reference to the initiative promoted by Lula to approve a global tax on billionaires. Sánchez’s Executive supports this tribute and will pressure at the summit to make it as ambitious as possible.

Government sources indicate that Out of consistency and conviction they are in favor of this tribute and that similar things have been approved in Spain. How it appears in the final declaration is something that is still being intensively negotiated. The same sources recall that, obviously, not all countries at the summit have the same opinion on these matters.

Clear examples are the US and Argentina, permanent members of the G20 (Spain is invited). The positions of Donald Trump and Javier Milei, respectively, could stop the inclusion of this tax. Both leaders will attend Rio de Janeiro, as will all the top leaders, with the exception of Vladimir Putin. The president of China, Xi Jinping, who was absent last year, will also do so.

Moncloa is therefore cautious about the scope of the references to the hypothetical global tax. And also about how it will be applied and the degree of commitment thereof. What is beyond any doubt, according to government sources, is the support from Spain and the fact that the Brazilian presidency is working hard to ensure that it is done properly.

In addition to this issue, the G20 summit will address, also promoted by Brazil, initiatives to address the poverty reduction. At least the intention is to put the focus on issues of this type again after years with more emphasis dedicated to geopolitical issues. There will be a specific work session for this and will include Sánchez’s participation.

He program The general session is completed with a session on the reform of global governance institutions, also with the presence of the President of the Government, and another on ecological transition and sustainable development.

Spain, according to Moncloa sources, will make its contributions on the issue of inequality and poverty reduction. In this framework, the Alliance against Hunger and Povertyan idea from Lula. The Government remembers that Spain was the first country to join the proposal and that they will do everything possible to make it a success.

Lula and Sánchez have great political and personal affinity and the political agendas are aligned, according to government sources. Both leaders have met on several occasions, both in Spain and Brazil. Furthermore, they formed a tandem at the UN very recently to warn about the far-right impulse.

Bilateral meetings

Sánchez’s agenda includes several bilateral meetings, as is usual. Moncloa has already confirmed some of the meetings. He will meet with the Prime Minister of VietnamPham Minh Chinh, with the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, and with the prime ministers of CanadaJustin Trudeau, and AustraliaAnthony Albanese. There are still some meetings to close.

Sánchez is accompanied on this trip, something common in this type of summit, by his wife Begoña Gómez. He does so at a time when Judge Juan Carlos Peinado’s investigation continues. In fact, a new statement was scheduled for this Monday that has been postponed to December 18. The accusations even requested the withdrawal of the passport. His agenda in Rio is waiting to be confirmed by the organization of the G20 summit, in charge of it.