It’s one bromance against another. French president Emmanuel Macron and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau have publicly discussed how best to approach the sometimes volatile American president Donald Trump. Trump recently went on a Twitter tirade against Trudeau and Macron over recent trade tariffs which the two Francophone leaders set in response to Trump’s tariffs on goods from their countries.
Please tell Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron that they are charging the U.S. massive tariffs and create non-monetary barriers. The EU trade surplus with the U.S. is $151 Billion, and Canada keeps our farmers and others out. Look forward to seeing them tomorrow.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2018
Prime Minister Trudeau is being so indignant, bringing up the relationship that the U.S. and Canada had over the many years and all sorts of other things…but he doesn’t bring up the fact that they charge us up to 300% on dairy — hurting our Farmers, killing our Agriculture!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2018
Why isn’t the European Union and Canada informing the public that for years they have used massive Trade Tariffs and non-monetary Trade Barriers against the U.S. Totally unfair to our farmers, workers & companies. Take down your tariffs & barriers or we will more than match you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2018
“Perhaps Trump doesn’t mind he’s being isolated today, but for us here, it matters,” said Macron at a joint press conference with Trudeau ahead of the conference which begins June 8. Both leaders underlined that even though there will be differences in perspectives, the G7 is a time to refocus on commonalities. Traditionally, the seven countries sign a “communiqué,” a joint statement about what the countries agreed upon during the talks.
The will to have a text signed by 7 countries must not be stronger than the content of that text. On principle, we must not rule out a 6+1 agreement. #G7Charlevoix https://t.co/QZ0TQaQyrF
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 7, 2018
The American President may not mind being isolated, but neither do we mind signing a 6 country agreement if need be. Because these 6 countries represent values, they represent an economic market which has the weight of history behind it and which is now a true international force https://t.co/UA86fcjozs
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 7, 2018
Trudeau, hosting the talks, chose to make climate change and the environment a key part of this meeting of world leaders. Trump’s policies have worked to roll back environmental protections and he chose to depart the Paris Climate Accords last June. The White House has said Trump plans to leave early, before the sessions on climate change and the environment take place on Saturday afternoon.
