Trump blasts Trudeau, spurns joint statement
Blames ‘false statements’ by ‘dishonest & weak’ leader during G-7
WASHINGTON – After meeting with global leaders at the Group of Seven summit in Quebec, President Donald Trump said he has instructed U.S. officials not to endorse a joint statement with other world leaders documenting the meeting and agreements.
The remarks, following a two-day meeting in Canada with the world’s largest industrialized economies, marked a clear separation between the U.S. and its closest allies amid heightened tensions about tariffs on aluminum and steel.
Trump said on Twitter he directed officials not to endorse the communique as a response to comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a news conference after Trump left for his meeting in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“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!” the president said on Twitter.
He continued: “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% on dairy!”
In a statement Saturday night, a spokesman for Trudeau did not address Trump’s insults. “We are focused on everything we accomplished here at the #G7 summit,” spokesman Cameron Ahmad said. “The Prime Minister said nothing he hasn’t said before – both in public, and in private conversations with the President.”
Trump had cited progress on reaching an agreement on the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico, saying the final outcome would lead either to an improved trade deal or separate pacts with the two U.S. neighbors. Trump said he was discussing two types of sunset provisions in which any of the countries could leave the deal.
But Trudeau objected strenuously to any sunset clause of any length.
“If you put an expiry date on any trade deal, that’s not a trade deal. That’s our unequivocal position,” he said.
While gathered at the meeting, Trump told global leaders that they must reduce trade barriers and floated the idea of lowering tariffs completely if other countries agreed to a more pure form of open trade.
He threatened to stop trading with other nations if they decline to lower barriers he has repeatedly described as unfair, and he warned allies against taking retaliatory measures against steep metal tariffs that he imposed last month.
“We’re like the piggy bank that everybody’s robbing,” Trump said. “And that ends.”
Trump drew international criticism last month for leveling a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent duty on aluminum, measures the president says are necessary for national security. The president has also said he is considering a tariff on imported cars.