Germany's Klingbeil sets off for G20 finance ministers' meeting in US

German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil on Sunday said he intends to discuss how to get the global economy back on track at the Group of 20 (G20) finance ministers' meeting in Asheville, North Carolina next week.

Ahead of his departure, Klingbeil - who also serves as finance minister - said "everyone must play their part in reducing massive global uncertainties."

He repeated his call for an end to the war in Iran and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trade conflicts and distortions of competition are "poison for global economic development," he said.

Finance ministers from the G20 countries are convening in the United States on Monday and Tuesday ahead of the leaders' summit later this year in Miami.

Klingbeil said the German government wants to expand renewable energy and increase investment in research and development to ensure "global crises can no longer hit us as hard as the recent war in Iran did."

Earlier this week, Klingbeil called on US President Donald Trump to end his "irresponsible" war with Iran.

He told broadcaster ARD: "That is the most important message, including to the US: end this war."