Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs Erin Browne speaks on G20 Finance Track meetings in Asheville, how it will impact Helene recovery and economic priorities.
Global finance leaders are gathering in Asheville for high-level G20 Finance Track meetings, putting western North Carolina’s ongoing Helene recovery and federal dollars earmarked for that recovery in the international spotlight.
Finance ministers and central bankers from around the world are meeting at the Omni Grove Park Inn to discuss global economic stability, U.S. growth and other global economic priorities.
U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs Erin Browne was in Asheville Friday, Aug. 28, and spoke with News 13.
“Thank you to the Asheville community for welcoming the finance ministers and the central bankers to the G20 in Asheville,” Browne said.
The gathering comes as western North Carolina continues to recover from Helene. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has said the region still has billions of dollars in unmet recovery needs and has repeatedly asked for more funding from D.C. leaders and for what’s pledged to come faster.
Browne highlighted the role of financial institutions in the recovery, including Truist.
“They've been a phenomenal partner to North Carolina, in terms of the revitalization and the rebuilding of Asheville, in the post-Hurricane Helene period,” Browne said. “They've been lending to small businesses to help to grow."
G20 meetings bring attention to Helene recovery
Joe LaVorgna, a former counselor to the U.S. Treasury secretary, said Asheville’s selection as the meeting site was, in part, intended to draw attention to the region’s recovery.
“The administration has given over $5 billion in monies,” LaVorgna said.
He said bringing the G20 to Asheville could help attract additional resources.
“One of the key reasons why they have chosen Asheville for the G20 meetings is to call attention to the issue and help bring in dollars to the area, encourage tourism, more self-awareness for the tragedy,” LaVorgna said. “And it's part of an overall bigger push to try to rebuild and help those depleted, injured communities,” LaVorgna said.
Trump administration promotes "America First" priorities
The G20 meetings are also allowing the Trump administration to promote its economic priorities on the global stage.
“One of the big objectives within the Trump administration is to make sure that U.S. companies have an even and fair playing field when they look at investment abroad,” Browne said.
She also pointed to what she described as gains for U.S. and North Carolina companies internationally.
“Because of President Trump's leadership, we're now seeing U.S. companies and North Carolina companies get more wins on the international stage,” Browne said.
Browne said the administration is using the gathering to reinforce its broader economic message.
“That's exactly right. I mean, we, right now, are really focused on showcasing on a global stage the "America First" priorities and putting U.S. at the center point of that conversation,” Browne said.
The international gathering means images and coverage from Asheville will be seen around the world, bringing renewed attention to both the G20 discussions and western North Carolina’s long-term recovery from Helene.
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Email us: news@wlos.com
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--
WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs Erin Browne speaks on G20 Finance Track meetings in Asheville, how it will impact Helene recovery and economic priorities.
Global finance leaders are gathering in Asheville for high-level G20 Finance Track meetings, putting western North Carolina’s ongoing Helene recovery and federal dollars earmarked for that recovery in the international spotlight.
Finance ministers and central bankers from around the world are meeting at the Omni Grove Park Inn to discuss global economic stability, U.S. growth and other global economic priorities.
U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs Erin Browne was in Asheville Friday, Aug. 28, and spoke with News 13.
“Thank you to the Asheville community for welcoming the finance ministers and the central bankers to the G20 in Asheville,” Browne said.
The gathering comes as western North Carolina continues to recover from Helene. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has said the region still has billions of dollars in unmet recovery needs and has repeatedly asked for more funding from D.C. leaders and for what’s pledged to come faster.
Browne highlighted the role of financial institutions in the recovery, including Truist.
“They've been a phenomenal partner to North Carolina, in terms of the revitalization and the rebuilding of Asheville, in the post-Hurricane Helene period,” Browne said. “They've been lending to small businesses to help to grow."
G20 meetings bring attention to Helene recovery
Joe LaVorgna, a former counselor to the U.S. Treasury secretary, said Asheville’s selection as the meeting site was, in part, intended to draw attention to the region’s recovery.
“The administration has given over $5 billion in monies,” LaVorgna said.
He said bringing the G20 to Asheville could help attract additional resources.
“One of the key reasons why they have chosen Asheville for the G20 meetings is to call attention to the issue and help bring in dollars to the area, encourage tourism, more self-awareness for the tragedy,” LaVorgna said. “And it's part of an overall bigger push to try to rebuild and help those depleted, injured communities,” LaVorgna said.
Trump administration promotes "America First" priorities
The G20 meetings are also allowing the Trump administration to promote its economic priorities on the global stage.
“One of the big objectives within the Trump administration is to make sure that U.S. companies have an even and fair playing field when they look at investment abroad,” Browne said.
She also pointed to what she described as gains for U.S. and North Carolina companies internationally.
“Because of President Trump's leadership, we're now seeing U.S. companies and North Carolina companies get more wins on the international stage,” Browne said.
Browne said the administration is using the gathering to reinforce its broader economic message.
“That's exactly right. I mean, we, right now, are really focused on showcasing on a global stage the "America First" priorities and putting U.S. at the center point of that conversation,” Browne said.
The international gathering means images and coverage from Asheville will be seen around the world, bringing renewed attention to both the G20 discussions and western North Carolina’s long-term recovery from Helene.
_______________
Follow WLOS on social media:
WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook: facebook.com/News13
WLOS ABC 13 News on X: https://x.com/WLOS_13
WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram: instagram.com/wlos_13
Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: youtube.com/user/ABC13Channel/?sub_confirmation=1
For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit wlos.com
Stream our newscasts LIVE: wlos.com/watch
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@wlos.com
Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340
--
WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
