Trump launches twitter tirade after G7 meeting
DONALD Trump withdrew his endorsement of the joint communique at the end of the G7 summit – after calling Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau “dishonest and weak”.
The summit in Canada was marked by the US president’s controversial trade policy which has put him at odds with the rest of the G7 leaders.
He warned that retaliation against metal tariffs – 25% on imports of steel and 10% on aluminium from countries including the UK and the rest of the European Union – would be a mistake.
Despite the differences, Mr Trudeau announced that the leaders had managed to agree a joint communique at the summit which highlighted the importance of “free, fair and mutually beneficial trade and investment” and said the G7 would “continue to fight protectionism”.
He said: “We had some strong, firm conversations on trade and specifically on American tariffs.”
But after saying he would give his relationship with fellow world leaders 10 out of 10, Mr Trump hit out at his northern neighbour. He tweeted that he would not now endorse the communique due to “false statements” from the Canadian PM.
He wrote: “Based on Justin’s false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our U.S. farmers, workers and companies, I have instructed our U.S. Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the U.S. Market!”
He added: “PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted so meek and mild during our @G7 meetings only to give a news conference after I left saying that, “US Tariffs were kind of insulting” and he “will not be pushed around.” Very dishonest & weak. Our Tariffs are in response to his of 270 per cent on dairy!”
During the meeting, Mr Trump accused other states of “robbing” his country through their trade policies and proposed scrapping tariffs across the G7. But Theresa May hit back, branding the tariffs “unjustified” and saying the EU would respond – although she warned against further tit-for-tat escalation.
Despite the tensions at the gathering in Canada, Mr Trump rated his relationship with their leaders as a “10” – naming Germany’s Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Trudeau, but not the UK Prime Minister.
As well as criticising the tariffs, Mrs May also opposed Mr Trump’s call for Russia to be readmitted to the group of leading industrialised nations. But Mr Trump insisted it would be an “asset” to have Vladimir Putin back at the summit table.
The US president said the US needed protectionist tariffs because “we are like the piggy bank that everyone is robbing”.
Mr Trump warned the EU: “If they retaliate they are making a mistake.”
Mrs May said: “Where we disagree with our allies on something it is right that we say so and air the issue openly and frankly. We have done just that... registering our deep disappointment at the unjustified decision by the US to apply tariffs to EU steel and aluminium imports.”
But the Prime Minister said the UK still wanted to discuss a post-Brexit trade deal with the US and said Mr Trump was still looking forward to July’s visit to Britain.