G20 communique exposes divide with U.S. on climate policy

Delegates attend the official dinner at the Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall during the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany July 7, 2017. (Photo: Reuters)

A final statement agreed on Saturday by the leaders of the Group of 20 economic powers exposed a divide between the United States and other G20 members on the Paris climate accord aimed at combating climate change.

"We take note of the decision of the United States of America to withdraw from the Paris Agreement," the communique read. "The leaders of the other G20 members state that the Paris Agreement is irreversible."

On trade, another sticking point during a two-day summit in Hamburg, the leaders agreed they would "fight protectionism including all unfair trade practices and recognize the role of legitimate trade defense instruments in this regard."