Trump stuns G7, asks for Russia to be re-admitted

CHARLEVOIX, QUEBEC • Donald Trump said Friday that Russia should be readmitted to the G7 club of industrial economies four years after its expulsion over the annexation of Crimea, further provoking U.S. allies outraged or unnerved by the president’s swerve to trade protectionism.

Trump lobbed what amounted to a diplomatic stink bomb as he left the White House for the annual two-day G7 summit, where he arrived late and planned to leave early.

Trump said he knows such outreach to Russia may not be “politically correct,” and he appeared to dismiss G7 members’ anger and hurt feelings over what they call unfair trade barriers and ingratitude from Washington.

Trump’s comments on Russia were a repudiation of the position the G7 took in 2014 to exclude Russia because of what the remaining members called the illegitimate annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

“Now, I love our country. I have been Russia’s worst nightmare,” Trump said in Washington. “But with that being said, Russia should be in this meeting.

“Whether you like it or not, and it may not be politically correct, but we have a world to run . ... They should let Russia come back in.”

Most other members of the G7, including the leaders of the United Kingdom, Germany and France, are unlikely to agree to Trump’s call for readmitting Russia, meaning the suggestion could further divide the group and make it even more ineffectual.

In an interview with Sky News on Friday, British Prime Minister Theresa May said it was important to “engage with Russia.”

But, she added, “Let’s remember why the G8 became the G7. And before discussions could begin on any of this, we would have to ensure Russia is amending its ways and taking a different route.”

Trump on Friday also reiterated his plans to take a tough stance on trade with U.S. allies at the summit, threatening again to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Adding to fears that the group is becoming the G6 plus one, the rift with the U.S. is likely to mean there will not be a formal agreed statement at the end of the summit.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it remains uncertain whether the talks will produce a joint communiqué.

Instead, she said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could issue a less-formal chair’s statement.

It would mark a rare break in protocol for the group. The consensus documents typically outline a shared vision of global affairs, where the seven countries also undertake commitments on everything from currencies, development aid and international security.