ZCZC
BCN-06
G7-SUMMIT-TRADE-CANADA-US
Trump withdraws endorsement of G7 joint statement
QUEBEC CITY, June 10, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – US President Donald Trump
dramatically withdrew his endorsement of a joint statement at the end of a G7
summit in Canada Saturday in a row over trade, accusing the summit’s chairman
Justin Trudeau of dishonesty.
“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,”
Trump said in Tweet sent from on board Air Force One.
Trump, who is on his way to Singapore for a summit with North Korea’s
leader, also reiterated warnings that his administration was mulling tariffs
“on automobiles flooding the US market” in a move that would be primarily
aimed at another G7 member, Germany.
The US president then had angry words for Trudeau, saying the Canadian
prime minister had “acted so meek and mild” in their joint discussions only
to later pledge in a press conference that he would not be pushed around.
“Very dishonest & weak,” Trump said, adding that recently imposed US
tariffs on imports of Canadian steel and aluminum were in response to similar
measures imposed on American dairy products by Canada.
BSS/AFP/HR/0915