President Donald Trump did not appear to be listening during some of the trade presentations in Quebec, Canada. Trade dominated the 2-day summit that began on Friday with leaders of Germany, France, Japan, Canada, Britain and Italy returning to the topic repeatedly – simply because “Trump the Menace” kept making troubles to the powerful nations.
The event went so bad that the U.S. president left before the end of the summit and will fly to Singapore for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, which he described as a “mission of peace.” Yes, Trump actually looks forward to a more fruitful summit with a leader from pariah kingdom North Korea than rubbing shoulders with American allies of decades.
And a photo below, snapped by German spokesperson Steffen Seibert, speaks volumes how the havoc the G7 summit has been. The photo captured the mood of the meeting, where like a defiant kid who refused to budge, a seated Donald Trump – arms crossed – was surrounded by other leaders standing over him, as if trying to lecture the trouble-maker kid America.
Clearly, acting like a mom, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel was seen trying to give her last piece of lecture to Trump, or was she begging him to behave for the sake of the universe? The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, also with folded arms, appears to be trying to stay neutral and out of the heated argument between the European Union leaders and the U.S. president.
The leaders of the rich-nations had vowed to confront Trump over his decision to impose tariffs on U.S. allies. However, the U.S. president continued with his mantra that the United States had suffered at the hands of its trading partners. Before making an early exit from the 2-day summit, Trump said at a press conference – “We’re like the piggy bank that everybody is robbing.”
Trump, who repeated that his administration’s tariffs are meant to protect U.S. industry and workers from unfair international competition, has even thrown a wild card, suggesting an entirely free trade. He said – “No tariffs, no barriers. That’s the way it should be. And no subsidies.” He was particularly offended by host Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada though.
During a press conference, Mr. Trudeau said Trump’s move to impose tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium for national security reasons was insulting to Canadians who had stood with the United States in times of war for generations. Trudeau said – “We will not, cannot sign a trade deal that expires automatically every five years – that is not a trade deal. So that’s not on the table.”
Trump has repeatedly and consistently threatened to pull out of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) if the agreement is not renegotiated in way that he views as more favourable for U.S. companies and workers. However, the Canadian prime minister disagrees and retaliates, saying – “Canadians, we’re polite, we’re reasonable, but we will also not be pushed around.”
But the U.S. president wasn’t impressed with Trudeau, and immediately blasted his tweet slamming the Canadian leader – “PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted so meek and mild during our 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!”
Not satisfied with just calling the Canadian a liar and a weak leader, to teach Mr. Trudeau a lesson, Trump retracted his endorsement of the communiqué (official announcement or statement) from the G7, tweeting afterward he had instructed U.S. representatives “not to endorse” it. He also said his administration was considering imposing tariffs on automobiles.
On Saturday, Trudeau kicked off a session on gender equality without waiting for those he described as “stragglers” to arrive, referring to Trump who was late for the breakfast session. The personal attack Mr. Trump rained on Mr. Trudeau, and vice versa, shattered any hope that Canada could avoid U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium or renegotiates the NAFTA by virtue of charm or patience.
Angela Merkel, meanwhile, said there was broad agreement among G7 leaders that tariffs and other trade barriers should be reduced, though she acknowledged that differences with the United States remained. French Macron, on the other hand, said the agreement would be a good first step and represented the G7 nations’ desire to stabilize the situation.
Apart from trade (and gender equality), there also was disagreement at the summit over the G7’s position on climate change and Trump’s suggestion that Russia be re-admitted to the group. The group was known as G8 prior to 2014 when Russia was suspended in that year because of its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
Trump is a leader with multiple skills, but diplomatic is not one of them. Armed with reality that the U.S. is the world’s biggest economy, and keeps recording deficit every year with other countries, he is calling everyone bluff. China reportedly wanted to gang up with Europe to fight the U.S. in the trade war. But Trump doesn’t give a damn.
Looking at how Trump gives very little attention or importance to G7 summit, the group could further shrink to G6. The U.S. president wants to be seen as a firm man who’s unwilling to bend over when it comes to certain issues, even with allies, or even if the U.S. will be mocked as G1 on its own. He’s alright if America is seen as against the world.
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June 10th, 2018 by financetwitter
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They all have healthy trade balance with US and are now concerned