U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed finance leaders from the Group of 20 nations at the opening of their meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, emphasizing that economic growth is the essential path for countries to reduce the elevated debt levels that have accumulated since the global financial crisis and the COVID‑19 pandemic. He stated that the world is "awash in debt post GFC, post COVID," and asserted that the only way out is to "grow our way out of this," noting that many leaders appear receptive to this growth‑focused approach. This content may not be financially relevant.