A routine White House photo-op took an unusual turn on Monday when Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte interrupted President Donald Trump and then contradicted him on tariffs and trade.
“If we do work it out, that’ll be positive, and if we don’t, it’ll be positive also, because...” Trump said.
“No!” Rutte interjected with a smile.
“Well, just think about those cars that pour in here, and we’ll do something, right?” Trump replied.
But Rutte ― still smiling ― wasn’t having it.
“It’s not positive,” he said. “We have to work something out.”
Trump thanked Rutte and the two shook hands.
“The relationship between the Netherlands and the United States is over 400 years old,” Rutte said. “We are allies. We have always been friends, always been friendly, working closely together.”