24/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - In an interview with The Financial Times of 24 October, the South African Minister for Trade and Industry, Alec Erwin, pointed out that South Africa, China, India and Brazil are discussing the conclusion of trade agreements between them. The Group of 20, including the four countries that lead the Group of 20 developing countries, will continue to present a united front at the WTO, Mr Erwin said. He gave his assurance that, although several smaller countries had recently left the G20 since Cancun, its four largest members would remain a "core group". In answer to questions on US pressure on certain Latin American countries to leave the G20, Mr Erwin said Washignton (which is discussing a trade agreement with Pretoria) has not put pressure on South Africa. "There is a limit to what pressure the US can put. If it is going to go around every five minutes taking away agreements or taking away aid because of what you did in a negotiation, it becomes a silly exercise", exclaimed the South African Minister.