The Donald’s tweets spew ire on US allies

SINGAPORE: Donald Trump fired off a volley of tweets yesterday venting anger on Nato allies, the European Union and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the wake of a divisive G7 meeting over the weekend.

Having left the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada early, the US president’s announcement that he was backing out of the joint communique torpedoed what appeared to be a fragile consensus on the trade dispute between Washington and its top allies.

“Fair trade is now to be called fool trade if it is not reciprocal,” he tweeted.

“Sorry, we cannot let our friends, or enemies, take advantage of us on trade anymore. We must put the American worker first!”

The communique, which had appeared to have papered over the cracks that surfaced so uncharacteristically at the G7, said the leaders of the US, Canada, Britain, France, Italy, Germany and Japan were agreed on the need for “free, fair, and mutually beneficial trade” and the importance of fighting protectionism.

“We strive to reduce tariff barriers, non-tariff barriers and subsidies,” the statement said, which came despite Washington appearing intent on taking more punitive steps on trade.

“Not fair to the people of America! $800 billion trade deficit,” Trump said.

Trump also lambasted fellow members of Nato for paying disproportionately less than the US to maintain the Western alliance.

“The US pays close to the entire cost of Nato - protecting many of these same countries that rip us off on trade (they pay only a fraction of the cost – and laugh!).

“The European Union had a US$151 billion surplus – should pay much more for military!” he tweeted.

Yesterday, Trump also renewed attacks on Trudeau, who had hosted the G7 meeting in Quebec. “Justin acts hurt when called out!” On Saturday, he called the Canadian premier “very dishonest and weak”.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow accused Trudeau of betraying Trump with “polarising” statements on trade policy.

Trade adviser Peter Navarro said “there is a special place in hell for any leader that engages in bad faith diplomacy” with Trump. – Reuters