The second and final day of the G7 Summit started with a working breakfast. The U.S. President Donald Trump missed the casual socializing beforehand because he showed up late once again.
CGTN Roee Ruttenberg has the story from Quebec City.
The morning talks focused on a gender equality and women’s empowerment. The White House said Trump would depart Quebec immediately afterwards.
Before he did, Trump held an impromptu press gathering, where he offered his thoughts on a range of topics, including trade.
“We want and expect other nations to provide fair market access to Americans exports and we will take whatever steps necessary to protect American workers against unfair trade practices,” Trump said.
.@POTUS meets with world leaders and negotiates on Trade, Iran, and National Security. #G72018 #BTS pic.twitter.com/OobyyDswNP
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) June 9, 2018
He also said America was being robbed and blamed past U.S. leaders for letting it happen. The president said he would no longer let this happen. He also defended the recent import duties his administration slapped on imported metals, many originating in G7 states.
The summit continued without him. A session on the environment, oceans, clean energy and climate change, that included leaders from the developing world, joined the summit as guests.
Outside, protesters urged the G7 states, which make up around half of the world’s GDP, to focus on economic justice.
The Canadian host, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, was determined that this year’s gathering be seen as a success, despite public tensions between Trump and other members ahead of the meeting.
“The president will continue to say what he says at various occasions. What we did this weekend was come together, roll up our sleeves and figure out consensus language that we could all agree to on a broad range of issues,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau also vowed to impose retaliatory tariffs on the U.S starting July 1st.
Meanwhile, next year’s G7 host French President Emmanuel Macron said the group remains committed to its core values, with or without the U.S.
“The G7 enabled us; showed the efficiency of a European front. This is very important for Europe to be able to act together […] Then it was also an opportunity to listen to a number of misunderstandings on trade and also to make sure there were no further disagreements.” Macron said.
In a last-minute twist-by-tweet, Donald Trump lashed out, again. He called Trudeau a weak leader and said the U.S. would not sign off on the G7’s final 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
In the end, the document meant to reflect consensus is now highlighting division.