Donald Trump throws G7 back into disarray with tweets from Air Force One
Donald Trump ensured he left the G7 summit in a state of chaos by announcing from Air Force One on Saturday night that the US had withdrawn its endorsement of a joint communiqué and launching a blistering attack on his host, Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister.
Mr Trump described Mr Trudeau as dishonest and weak as he accused Canada of trying to take advantage of US interests.
He was already on his way to Singapore for next week's summit with Kim Jong-un when he fired off two tweets unravelling the progress made during the previous 24 hours.
It mirrored the build-up to talks which were thrown into disarray by his appeal for Russia to be readmitted to the G7 and promised not to back down on tariffs.
However, European officials believed they had secured a limited breakthrough by agreeing a form of words that could be released with American approval, despite obvious tensions.
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Mr Trump changed his mind just as Canada released the group's official communique, apparently angered by Mr Trudeau's comments at a news conference that he would still be pressing ahead with retaliatory tariffs.
"It would be with regret but it would be with absolute clarity and firmness that we move forward with retaliatory measures on 1 July," he said. "Canadians are polite and reasonable but we will also not be pushed around."
The response was rapid and blunt.
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
He followed up by tweeting: "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!"
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His statement brought a certain symmetry to the two-day summit. Mr Trump cut an isolated figure when he arrived after shocking other world leaders by his warm words for Russia.
On Saturday he further raised tensions by accusing EU leaders of treating the US as a“piggy bank that everybody’s robbing”.
But officials had been at pains to insist disagreements were natural and that the talks had made progress.
The communiqué said the leaders of the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Italy, Germany and Japan agreed on the need for "free, fair, and mutually beneficial trade" and the importance of fighting protectionism.
"We strive to reduce tariff barriers, non-tariff barriers and subsidies," the statement said.
Other nations shrugged off Mr Trump's intervention.
A senior British Government source said: “We stand by the commitments made in the G7 communiqué.”
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A spokesman for Mr Trudeau did not address Mr Trump's comments directly other than to say the Canadian prime minister had not changed his message.
"We are focused on everything we accomplished here at the G7 summit," said Cameron Ahmad. "The prime minister said nothing he hasn't said before - both in public, and in private conversations with the President."
