Trump's Disastrous G7
President Trump stoked tensions with America's most important allies during a disastrous showing at this weekend's G7 summit. Disputes over trade policy resulted in barbed public exchanges between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a pointed scolding from French President Emmanuel Macron, all sparked when Trump retroactively pulled out of a joint statement issued by summit participants. But hey, at least we got this really great photo that vividly illustrates just how strained America's alliances are.
Angela Merkel's office has released this photo taken today at the G7, which tells you a lot about how things went. pic.twitter.com/IXX6K3ayys
- David Mack (@davidmackau) June 9, 2018
Just for reference, here's what the G7 looked like when Obama was in office.
Throwback to Obama at the G7 pic.twitter.com/G9vPoab3Fb
- R. Saddler 📎🗽🌊 (@Politics_PR) June 10, 2018
Much was made on Twitter about the childish defiance of Trump's pose.
baby go wah, want to go home !! https://t.co/CzKAqPXXgJ
- christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) June 9, 2018
Literally EVERY image of an adult scolding a defiant and petulant child. https://t.co/YPcPPK1ZL7
- Nicholas A. Ferroni (@NicholasFerroni) June 9, 2018
The Group of 7 nations-the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Japan, Canada, and Italy-together represent 60% of the world's wealth and include some of America's most important allies. The group was formerly the G8, until Russia was removed in 2014 after its annexation of Crimea, a decision that Trump naturally would like to reverse. Trump, who's famously more at home with autocrats than with his democratically elected peers, entered this G7 summit on shaky footing with our allies after he announced tariffs on the EU and Canada. After summit host Trudeau held a press conference promising to retaliate against Trump's tariffs, the president issued a pair of tweets insulting the Canadian PM and pulling out of the G7's joint communique.
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!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2018
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!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2018
The tensions Trump stoked at the G7 may have repercussions for his upcoming summit with Kim Jong-un.
This is an obvious point but I haven’t seen it made yet: the G7 blowup increases the chance that Trump makes concessions so that the Kim summit looks like a success. Otherwise he’ll be 0 for 2 on this trip.
- Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) June 10, 2018
But aside from the Renaissance-worthy group photo, at least the summit also gave us the latest skirmish in the Trump/Macron handshake war. Judging by the thumb print left on Trump’s hand, Macron won.
The Trump-Macron handshake, a play in four acts pic.twitter.com/Ca6k9bigJg
- Anna Massoglia (@annalecta) June 9, 2018
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