Trump takes more swipes at Trudeau
Pompeo praises ties to Canada, close U.S. ally
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump took more swipes at Canada and its prime minister over trade issues as he settled in for a summit with North Korea in Singapore, contending that “Fair Trade is now to be called Fool Trade if it is not Reciprocal.”
Trump roiled the weekend Group of Seven meeting of industrialized nations in Canada by agreeing to a group statement on trade only to withdraw from it while flying to Asia. He complained that he had been blindsided by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s criticism of his tariff threats at a summit-ending news conference.
The attack on a longtime ally and its leader drew sharp criticism. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who also attended the summit, told German public television that she found Trump’s tweet disavowing the G-7 statement “sobering” and “a little depressing.” She also said the European Union would “act” against the U.S. trade measures.
Trump tweeted anew Monday morning from Singapore, repeating his criticism of U.S. trade policies with Canada — he also took aim at Germany — in a multitweet rant that went beyond 200 words all told. At one point he wrote, “Justin acts hurt when called out!”
“Why should I, as President of the United States, allow countries to continue to make Massive Trade Surpluses, as they have for decades, while our Farmers, Workers & Taxpayers have such a big and unfair price to pay?” he tweeted.
Yet his top diplomat, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, downplayed the rift. Addressing reporters in Singapore ahead of Trump’s summit Tuesday with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Pompeo said he was “unconcerned” that Trump’s treatment of Canada — a close ally — boded poorly for his ability to forge peace with a longtime U.S. adversary.
“There are always irritants in relationships,” Pompeo said, adding that without partners like Canada, “we wouldn’t be in this place, we wouldn’t have this diplomatic opportunity” with the North.