Trump Insults Canada In Private Phone Call With Trudeau Over Tariffs

President Trump is expecting tough talks with USA allies Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and Japan at the G7 summit Friday. A White House aide will represent the US for the remainder of the summit.

“Why isn’t the European Union and Canada informing the public that for years they have used massive Trade Tariffs and non-monetary Trade Barriers against the U.S”.

The G7 – or group of seven – comprises the largest advanced economies in the world: the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Italy.

“Maybe, but nobody is forever”, he told a news conference flanked by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“There are disagreements. He’s sticking to his guns”.

Top White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow opposed tariffs before joining Trump’s team, but now says he agrees the trade status quo hurts America. “The lines are open, the negotiations are ongoing”. Those nations are threatening new tariffs of their own on US goods.

89% said “lower US economic growth” was a risk”.

On the eve of what’s expected to be a combative Canadian debut at the G7 summit, President Donald Trump enjoyed a glimmer of praise Thursday for his global peacemaking efforts to rid North Korea of nuclear weapons.

Trudeau met with the presidents of the European Council and Commission, Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker, on Thursday to discuss the EU-Canada trade relationship and discuss “how we can continue to work together to create economic growth that benefits everyone”, in what could be seen as a jab at Trump.

In fact, it was the British who attacked the White House in retaliation for a USA attack on Fort York in 1813; Canada, of course, didn’t even come into existence until 1867. The president had initially exempted Canada from the steel and aluminum tariffs in March.

Tension has been building over a year of policymaking that has distanced the US from traditional allies, including by Trump’s decisions to withdraw the USA from the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear agreement.

91% said “higher costs of imports for US consumers” is a risk. In the lead up to the Iraq war in 2003, the US was at odds with France and Germany, as the two European countries worked in opposition to the war. Intense diplomacy from Europe to save an worldwide nuclear agreement with Iran also failed. Among allies, there was even been speculation that Trump might walk out of the meetings – or even decide not to show up.

They also renewed their commitment to the fight against climate change and to promote democratic values, free and open trade, and gender equality.

Leaders like Trudeau and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel admit it will be hard to even agree on a joint communiqué at the two-day meeting. The EU trade surplus with the U.S.is $151 Billion, and Canada keeps our farmers and others out.

Reporters pressed the two leaders – who have until now adopted a cordial approach to relations with Trump – if it was time to change tack.

“We do seem to be at a little bit of a Rubicon moment in terms of whether or not the United States is going to fundamentally turn its back on this economic order”, said Thomas Wright of the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington. France will host next year and the United States in 2020.