June 10, 2018–Just hours after appearing to sign a G7 Joint Communique with the heads of state of six leading Western democracies on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump reversed course by posting on Twitter that he would not endorse the statement.
It was a significant setback for relations among the Western democracies, which have struggled to find a common voice since President Trump threatened to raise trade tariffs on its top trading partners.
G7 Presidency) Just hours later, he posts a tweet saying he will not endorse the Communique. (Photo below. Source: Twitter)
The Communiqué
The 28-point statement includes language on “free, fair and mutually beneficial trade and investment,” “a rules-based international trading system,” and opposition to protectionism. It also declares joint opposition to tax evasion and shared support for education and equal opportunity to take part in the global economy, women’s empowerment and climate change.
Furthermore, it discusses foreign policy concerns such as terrorism, an adversarial Russia, Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, North Korea, tensions in the East and South China Seas, attacks against democratic systems in general and development on the African continent.
Communiques are typically signed by all parties at G7 meeting without much fuss or media attention. But they are significant symbols of Western unity and shared values.
G7 Minus One?
Trump’s apparent about-face on the June 9 communiqué emphasizes the tensions he has with the leaders from the other G7 democracies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
Despite the pleasantries during the photo ops, the summit was tense from the start due primarily to newly imposed U.S. trade tariffs on steel and aluminum, impacting Canada, Mexico and the European Union. Trump has increasingly stepped up his rhetoric against U.S. trading partners since last March.
Trump arrived at the G7 Summit late and left early.
As he left, he posted on Twitter that he left “beautiful Canada” after having great meetings, and “especially since they know I cannot allow them to apply large Tariffs and strong barriers to U.S.A. Trade. They fully understand where I’m coming from. After many decades, fair and reciprocal Trade will happen!”
Shortly thereafter, French President Emmanuel Macron posted on Twitter that, “In the #G7Charlevoix, President Trump saw that he had a united front in front of him. To find themselves isolated in a concert of Nations is contrary to American history.”
A series of photos from the G7 meeting depicts the talks as being tense.
A War of Words and Tariffs
At the conclusion of the summit, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave remarks to reporters and repeated comments he made last week that the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum were “insulting,” particularly because the United States justified them based on its national security. (For prior coverage, see ‘Trump Signs Off On Metal Tariffs.’)
Trudeau also said Canadians are polite and reasonable but would “not be pushed around” on trade and would stand by their plan to impose retaliatory tariffs against the United States on July 1.
Trump reacted quickly by lashing out at Trudeau on social media and turning his back on the G7 communique. He and his advisers attacked Trudeau for being “meek” during the summit while holding his stance against U.S. tariffs.
G7 Partners React
French President Emanuel Macron issued a statement saying, ““We spent two days to obtain a text and commitments. We will stand by them and anyone who would depart from them, once their back was turned, shows their incoherence and inconsistency,” according a news report in Le Monde.
Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told reporters in Berlin he was not too surprised by Trump’s about face. “We have seen this with the climate agreement or the Iran deal. In a matter of seconds, you can destroy trust with 280 Twitter characters. To build that up again will take much longer,” CNN quoted him as saying.
‘Show of Weakness’ Prior to Meeting with North Korea
According to his top economic advisor Larry Kudlow, Trump took Trudeau’s comments to as a personal insult that could weaken his stance in talks with North KoreanLeader Kim Jong-un.
“We compromised on the communique. We joined the communique,” Kudlow told CNN’s Jake Tapper. in a televised interview Sunday.
Kudlow complained that Trudeau held a press conference and used language like “insulting.”
According to Kudlow, President Trump “is not going to let a Canadian prime minister push him around –push him POTUS, President Trump — on the eve of this. He is not going to permit any show of weakness on the trip to negotiate with North Korea”
“So this was about North Korea?” Tapper asked.
“Of course it was, in large part. Absolutely. One thing leads to another. They are all related,” Kudlow said. “Kim must not see American weakness.”
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