A Group of 20 (G20) joint statement reflecting U.S. priorities on reducing global imbalances and sovereign debt restructurings may not be reached because members remain divided over the wording, U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for International Affairs Erin Browne told Reuters in Asheville, North Carolina, on Sept. 1. Browne said the United States would accept a chair's statement on the discussions if negotiators cannot agree on a communiqué that reflects U.S. interests and America First priorities. Trade-surplus and trade-deficit countries disagree over how to describe the challenges created by global imbalances. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the imbalances were sucking growth from the global economy. Browne declined to discuss China's specific position, but said China is widely viewed as the world's biggest source of imbalances. She warned that failing to correct them could ultimately create a serious financial stability event as economic dependencies and vulnerabilities increase.