And now, “Trump Arrives at G-7 Meeting With a Call to Readmit Russia” -- because, of course, “nobody has been tougher on Russia” than him.
So the G6+1 would be the G7+1.
We know Trump wants to be Putin's +1, but really.
11
World leadership requires working WITH allies to create a greater good. Instead, at the very time the US NEEDS its allies in the global struggle w/ China, Donald Trump is attacking & alienating them. WHAT A DISASTER!
8
Hi,
this:
'...on Wednesday, Mr. Kudlow insisted that the president does not intend to be constrained by the global trading rules set up by his predecessors.'
I'm unsure, yet what is prevalent is the utter blatancy in remarks leading to the actions of this crew.
I'd suggest history is out-of-the-window now.
It's a great worry. Has been since ... well, Brexit at this side of things and the following election U.S. with the P.M. visit after to Trump. All down hill and steaming along at a clip too. Both sides of the pond.
I wonder I do. Our government is in ruction over stances to take with the EU dealings. Yet I'm gut sensing USA attempts at almost breaking the EU up. (Take Ambassador Grenell in Germany and right wing supporting statements with its backlash). And I would not surprised at U.K. feels for this. So the G-7 could be a turn of seeing not just Trump but the U.K. upend historical ties too?
One thing for Trump, his blatancy is up front, whilst U.K. understatement and reserve still speaks volumes. I'm curios how this goes now.
Hmm, I reckon the U.K. is not reliable here even with a G-6 1 stance of taken.
It's all such a worry!
Thanks.
Hopefully, I understand this correctly.
Democrats do actually believe that we should have fair and reciprocal trading relationships. They just are too afraid to broach the subject.
Hard to tell when they seem to defend the outdated system of trade incentives and unfair advantage doled out like lollipops to get countries to blindly follow our lead on things like UN votes regarding Israel or so they’ll pony up a few troops and make our military adventurism look like an international effort.
Trump is right to switch the conversation to fair trade.
2
I suggest the meeting should be conducted only in French, and no translators should be allowed!
7
Trump’s lack of knowledge history and how the world operates is not only mind boggling but an insult to anybody with a modicum of smarts.
As an example - this morning he said he was looking into pardoning Muhammad Ali.
What else do you need to know?
9
Good for the Allies - they understand that Trump did not win the popular vote, nor does he represent the will of the majority of Americans. I'm glad the Allies are willing to state the obvious and only wish Republicans would do the same. It is tragic that Republicans are willing to throw away our world leadership, and their party for that matter, all to worship someone they know deep down to be incompetent and dangerous.
The Allies should continue to criticize and shun him when he is wrong and non-cooperative - if the American people don't like it, they should pressure Trump to resign or Congress to impeach and remove. To throw stones at the Allies is misplaced blame.
11
I'm starting to understand this whole "Art of the Deal" thing.
First, you accuse your opponent of every possible legal and ethical violation you can imagine, regardless of evidence.
Then you throw a huge tantrum and act as insane or irrational as possible, given the physical constraints of your suit and necktie.
Next, you agree to go back to basically the same terms you started with.
Finally, you claim a yuuuge victory for American jobs and the economy.
15
Mr. Trump was scheduled to arrive in time for the “family photo”
Yes, yes -- but will he ride a golf cart behind everyone else, like he did last year?
Or has he been working out, so he can keep up on foot?
Then he'll leave early, before discussion of important topics he doesn't care about and any joint statement. Under Trump, “America First” means dereliction of American leadership.
9
Trump never lets an opportunity go by without condemning the policies and labors of our previous presidents. All the while, this is from the genius businessman who has 5-6 bankruptcies to his credit, the patriot who grew bone spurs on five different occasions when it was his time to serve the country in its uniform, and the renewer of our decaying infrastructure who probably pays little or zero in taxes, but is quick to belittle and disparage everyone who comes in contact with him.
I guess this is his way of making himself look great. If you cannot rise above others on merit, well, then start cutting down others.
A day would come when we would have to pay the bill for his wrongheaded policies and impudence. But, as usual, the mercurial, otherwise also known as the Manchurian president, may be gone golfing somewhere while we, the citizens, are left to foot the bill. But then we are not blameless, either. These are the wages of supporting an unqualified man for a position for which he's a total Unfit.
9
Though it's never commented upon, the real parallel here with the US Civil War isn't merely about the country's polarization; it's moving from an extractive to a cooperative relationship with one's peers. American elites have been extracting from their own people for so many years, they can no longer compete in international trade. So do they reinvest in their people? Did Southern slaveholders free their people? No, they became even more exploitive, extractive, and reactionary, and so has the American government under Trump. But it won't work. G6 from sea to shining sea...
4
Why would Trump want Russia back in the G7? Russia was tossed out after it annexed Crimea. They do not belong anywhere near the G7. There have been sanctions against Russia and its leaders for years for its international behavior. Russia has been found to have hacked into the US election and Trump wants to let them back in? What does Russia have on Trump? It is obvious that Trump has been compromised. He is behaving as someone who is fearful of Putin and Russia.
6
When speaking about the trump and his agenda, we must not forget his enablers, the republican party.
8
I am mightily embarrassed for my country and for myself. To have such grifter and conman as president of this country of ours is humiliating to me and all my friends and family as well. To go from the heights of Obama's achievements to the very bottom crawling grifting and perpetual lying of tRump and his administration, all I can say is that the lows that I thought this president would have been of have been revealed to not even come close to what has far outweighed my worst nightmares. As unbelievable as I once thought, this President* has no fathomable bottom to which he will not sink. And as far as I can see, with the exception of his base and billionaires in his cabinet, we're all going down with the ship together.
12
Mr. Trump feels that he can bully these six countries. I don’t think that will go well; sooner or later the U.S. will have very little leverage in this game of chicken.
8
Don't know about that with a stagnant European economy and the US booming, Europe is in a weak position.
jaco - The US economy can't coast on President Obama's success forever. Trump will damage the economy just as he seeks to damage every other good thing President Obama achieved.
6
@ DR
You are funny. Obama's legacy was that of stagnation, Trump has dismantled all of Obama's economic policies resulting in the current success. I'll admit though that Obama made it easy for Trump, all Trump had to do is reverse Obama's policies.
Trump is giving us a glimpse of what could happen in Singapore at the Summit to be held June 12th, if in fact, he shows up.
This story and the others earlier this morning, whereby Trump is promoting Russia, gives more credence to the Russia investigation and whether or not Trump knew about meetings between Russians and his campaign staff, as to what they were really about and the fact that Trump knew about them and approved them.
How much longer is it going to take to convince Congress and the supporters of Trump that he is dangerous to American interests and the citizens of this company.
It is hard to believe that 87% of Republlcans approve of Trump.
Conservatives need to be worried now. Even the Tea Party.
6
Sure Trump is doing this all wrong. But let's for a moment think that the Marshall plan has been turned on its head by weak US elected officials and strong international leaders. Trump may be wrong on many things and I could never vote for him, but he is right that the US has given away staggering amounts of its home grown value to other nations.
"No man is an island".....Donne. "Any individual human being, contrary to any antagonistic opinion he might be entitled to, cannot extricate himself from the rest of the living, breathing cosmic continuum and pretend to be complete of its own positionality, of the integrity of its stance. It is implausible for one man to grow and thrive in society without the love and affection of his fellow-citizens. Likening the isolated and insular man to an island, Donne insists how the individual is but a component of the larger mass of humanity, the “continent”, and can only exist in conjunction with the world outside".....Pritam Bhaumik What thing or country or person is stronger alone than with support? Pure hubris.
To Municipalities Who Carried Trump:
You might want to put on hold your order for that larger-than-life statue of Chrump planned for the town square.
4
I think Mr. Macron summed it up best when, in referring to France and the other G6 members, that they were nations with values. Unfortunately, the most corrupt administration since Andrew Johnson and Warren Harding has worked tirelessly and ceaselessly to assure the world that we value nothing of merit.
5
In the wake of World War II, Harry Truman, George Marshall, and Dean Acheson -- the last two were secretaries of state -- created a new world order. In 1946, there was the Truman Doctrine, In 1947, the Marshall Plan (the European Recovery Act) was proposed. For 73 years, Europe, with some minor exceptions, has been at peace. Now, Donald Trump, is throwing all the hard work and success away. Also, Japan and South Korea are important American allies. Trump has humiliated and embarrassed America. He should resign.
9
The United States has the highest GDP per capita - both nominal and normalized by purchasing power - of any of the countries in the G7. Many of them by a large, large margin. It is one of the wealthiest nations on the planet.
If that income isn't being accessed by the majority of your citizens, it is your own doing.
It's time for Donald Trump to to put on his big boy pants and fix your own internal issues, rather than continuously whining about how his problems in life are everyone else's fault but his own. The rest of the world has had enough of the self-pitying wallowing of a coddled rich kid.
7
"Mr. Trump is the black sheep of this family, the estranged sibling who decided to pick fights with his relatives just before arriving to dinner."..........
This statement is true of every relationship Trump has, unless that relationship is a bromance with a dictator.
5
Sowing dissension among our allies and inviting Russia back into the G-7? Sounds like treason to me.
3
Trump in his ignorance is leading the United States to a place where we will soon be ripe for colonization.
5
It's truly frightening to know he's the Commander-In-Chief and our representative to the world.
I've never felt so unprotected as an American citizen. Or so embarrassed at the same time. And that is a very new, odd feeling for me as an American of 66 years.
9
Trump supporters should be ashamed of themselves. This evil man has alienated us from our allies. We have become a country without any respect and who could trust us. Being a bully and liar is not the way to run a country and especially a democracy. Do his supporters realize that we are slowly becoming a country run by a dictator. This country reminds me of the Handmaid's Tale.
Please people get out and vote blue before this man totally destroys us!
4
When it finally becomes clear that Russia installed Trump in office and that Evangelicals support Putin's agenda to destroy the friendships and allies of America, the world will see that Russia has succeeded at destroying America from within because of the fall of the Soviet Union.
Trump slammed every one of America's allies, insulted each, and then proclaimed that Russia should be at the G7. This reminds me of the party Trump threw for Sergei Lavrov & Sergei Kislyak in The Oval Office to celebrate what Russia had pulled off and to prove his alliance with Russia, to fire the Head of the FBI and laugh about it with the Russians. This is what Evangelicals did to America.
5
If this is how trump thinks he will make america great again, count me out!
Throughout the campaign he kept conning voters with the notion that he's a winner and that we'd all tire of winning. Judging the past 500 days or so, I'd consider trump a loser, and a big one at that. The only friend he seems able to make and keep is with himself.
4
Europe and Canada need not fear going it alone, and deal directly with Iran. The U.S. wants to somehow penalize them for money made in Iran. I don't think this is possible. They can spend their money outside the U.S. They can invest in other countries.
The U.S. is putting tariffs on all countries. It hurts U.S. manufacturers and customers, as well as those of our trading partners. Trump doesn't care... his biographies say he's always been a bully.
Europe doesn't want most American goods, particularly meats, vegetables and fruit, because they're contaminated with pesticides, hormones and antibiotics.
The Chinese want our tech, which we are good at, so they can copy it. I wonder, thoughI, how much our drug prices will go up due to Chinese retaliatory tariffs.
The U.S. produces cars, planes, weapons, fossil fuels, develops tech knowledge, and tries to unload inferior foods and the poisons which grow them on the world.
We're a service economy and a country of consumers. ConAgra and Monsanto have caused great disservice to our farmers.
Wealthy investors, with small hearts, and jobless people, untrained for future careers, bought into Trump's promises. Rich cynics keep him in power.
It's no wonder we're losing allies and earning anger and distrust. The free world is not in the U.S. anymore...it's in Europe and Canada.
6
We are careening down the road on a bus driven buy a crazy man. Must we just sit by and helplessly just drive off of the cliff?
Where is the leadership in this country?
8
Our "Allies" in the G-7 are nothing more than greedy moochers who have been taking advantage of the US for decades. Now they are angry at our President because his telling them that the time has come to get off US welfare and engage in fair trade. As it stands, they have high tariffs on our goods and demand low tariffs on goods they bring into the US. They are whining and complaining because they want this totally unfair situation, which hurts American workers and American industries to continue. Anyone wish to defend these "Allies" with substantive reasons?
1
Please, rhetoric and blind neo-nationalism is destroying your country. Don't be part of it, look at facts not Fox.
Meanwhile, your "allies" will continue to man the DEW line and Northern submarine detection stations and continue to provide arctic training to US troops and low level flight training to US pilots and supply US warships operating in northern waters, and we could go on.....
4
So I guess now we consider Canada and Europe to be security threats, and we have a close alliance with Russia. I don't think Russia is the 'friend' most of us would have chosen.
4
Since the election, leaders of Western democracies and Japan came very close to debasing themselves by courting Trump. After enjoying that show, Trump and his enablers are only happy to show them all the finger. Because in their eyes those democracies are no different than blue states. And the Republican Party has been stoking hatred against blue states and democratic values for a long time. Macron, Merkel, Trudeau et al. need to stop pining for American leadership and figure out how they are going to lead their societies away from following the U.S. descent into unreason in its multiple forms.
1
The sad thing is, that many people will stand up for trumpism until it has utterly failed. A partially failure is not enough, it must be obviously even for the most hardened believer.
And Trump is still far from failing.
4
This reminds me of travelling in Europe in 1971. A lot of Americans I met had sewn Canadian flags on their backpacks.
Time to get out the needle and thread, folks.
5
Dear World,
The USA cedes the leadership role it held from 1945 to 2016. It appears that other countries are more capable of leading and have a better vision anyway. We look forward to a more responsible stewardship than the present administration in the USA can provide.
Thank you.
7
He added, with a hint of sarcasm: “Look forward to seeing them tomorrow.”
The world hates nothing worse than someone secure with themselves. One of the only few redeeming graces of getting old.
I hope you're not under the impression that Trump is secure with himself.
This is a guy with no friends who has to pay for sex and companionship. You would be hard pressed to find a more insecure excuse for a man than Trump.
1
Mr. Trump is the last person on the planet to even mention the word 'unfair'. Just for starters, it is demonstrably 'unfair' that corporations are allowed to put their corporate headquarters/factories overseas to cut domestic labor costs and minimize their tax exposure on their profits. Meanwhile, captive Americans gather around their kitchen tables dealing with their bills like increasing gas and medical, as well as, the 'unfair' burden of tax liabilities. Mr. Trump stop giving 'unfair' tax advantages to people, banks and corporation that don't need them---that would include you.
5
"He added, with a hint of sarcasm: 'Look forward to seeing them to morrow.' "
I gain nothing from having someone else interpret a third person's intention ("with a hint of sarcasm").
1
Hopefully, the good people of Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania will be the primary beneficiaries of the Trump trade economic doctrine.
4
I am traveling to France this summer. In addition to other French survival phrases I am practicing "Je m'excuse pour mon président."
11
That's why I'm not traveling this summer...
Maclean's magazine suggested the Canadian government forget tit-for-tat tariffs and instead go after the assets of Mr. Trump. The thought was that his assets are really all he cares about, so the only attack he might respond to. I agree.
2
Trade deficits may be the only issue Trump actually really has core beliefs on. He has been talking about this issue for 30 years. The problem is his beliefs on the subject are based on ignorance and prejudice and are devoid of facts.
5
Well..... babies are not allowed in these summits.
Let the 6 grown ups have an intelligent and productive gathering. There's no reason to have babies there.
4
"Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, announced that Mr. Trump will leave Canada at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, well before scheduled sessions on climate change, clean energy and oceans. He will attend an early-morning session on “women’s empowerment,”.................................
Read this and contemplate our planet's future....................
Read this for the irony of Trump attending a women's empowerment forum.............Read this and weep.
6
I have the feeling that Trump thinks the women's empowerment session is some type of female wrestling match.
So Trump is heaping praise on North Korea and continues to not be hostile to Russia, all the while giving our closest allies the cold shoulder. Preferring dictators to other democracies--that's what I anticipated during the election. It just took him a year to get around to it. And the isolationists in his base, who want us out of the UN, NATO, NAFTA, and not bothering with the EU, should be happy. They're the only ones who will be.
1
Trump is certainly not known for tact but it is unclear as to whether or not Trump's tariff policies have merit. Free trade is normally understood to be trade without tariffs of any kind. We don't tax the other country's imported goods and they don't tax ours. But how is it free trade if that country is imposing tariffs on our goods and we are not imposing any tariffs on their goods?
Trump says that "free" trade is not "fair" trade where the USA is being taxed on its products and its trading partner suffers no taxation of its products. Is it true that all Trump is trying to achieve is parity with our trading partners: no tax on your goods; no tax on mine? That would appear to be the essence of actual "free" trade. So why are our trading partners insisting that they can tax our products but we can't tax theirs? Maybe the press will enlighten us on the meaning of free trade.
2
Trump is seriously off his rocker.
6
US trade negotiations with almost every country, Canada included, is an imbalanced exercise in most respects by relativity. No other economy is as large and as powerful as that of the US.
For Canada, we are dealing with a southern neighbor that is 10 times the size in population and economic strength.
If anything, the US in the past has thrown its weight around in most negotiations and has had the upper hand in providing access to US markets and consumers.
The idea the Canada is being a bully in trade negotiations is laughable, utterly ridiculous.
...but then look who the accusations are coming from.
15
I seems the best way to deal with old friends with whom you disagree is to ignore them - or so our Great Leader appears to think. What a dismal disgrace. We can only hope that we will have old friends when this nightmare of a presidency is over. The next president is going to have quite a job, on this front as on so many more.
7
There are several articles about Trump's stormy relationships involving trade and the G7 meeting. All say about the same thing: Trump's stance on trade and the consequent isolation of the US will most likely end up hurting us. After reading them you might be inclined to skip two others due to "bad-news fatigue". Don't give in: the "Justice" Dept. is going after the ACA and the EPA just handed a big win to companies producing dangerous chemicals. A double whammy: allowing more harmful, health-corroding chemicals into our environment AND trying to gut health insurance that covers millions of people. It's exhausting but keep the outrage up front and VOTE in November. We need a Congress that will stand up to this nightmare and support the health of the people, not the greed of corporations while lining their own pockets.
9
If Mr.Trump has valid trade issues to discuss then he can do that at the summit ,but he also has the responsibility to do it in a diplomatic manner.
This man is dangerous for the safety and security of the us and the world. He antagonizes and separates us from our allies and then aligns himself with our adversaries. He now has gone so far as to tweet that Putin should be part of the G7 Summit , the same Putin that invaded our country
I would put money on the fact that Trump knew full well of that Trump Tower meeting with the Russians . Trump Jr actively sought to conspire with Russia , our foreign adversary . How is that not treason ? And if Trump knew , which I can bet he did , then that’s a co- conspirator.
The more Trump favors Russia and forces us to be allies , the more that his 30% base worshippers can say “ hey , so he colluded , conspired , whatever so what ? “
This is like a twilight zone episode playing out in real life .
VOTE this November for the freedom protecting Democrats to take the House. The reigning in of this mad despot will come down to the People because the Republicans in Congress will do nothing but let our country slide away into oblivion.
13
Is America still our ally ?
7
The American people are your ally. Unfortunately, the person representing the majority of us seems bent on destroying our long-standing friendships and alliances. Keep remembering--he lost the popular vote.
4
Maybe Kim Kardashian can tell Trump who America's allies are and discourage him from pursuing trade wars.
9
Do you suppose that da prez thinks that Kim Kardashian is related to Kim Jung Un? (runs away, screaming and waving my hands in the air manically)
3
With each passing day, this vile character proves that he's a "Manchurian candidate." He wants to invite Putin to G7 meetings because Putin's the only one willing to talk to him without holding his nose.
13
Stay home. No one will miss you. And forget about banging the drum for your pal Putin. No one (but you) wants him in the G7.
5
And Italy, the only other country that can’t get out of its’ own way.
1
It is fine to have differences with our European Allies. but Mr. Trump's Actions has the formula of putting a wedge between our European allies that can take years to correct. Is there No one other than Putin whose eye this man will poke?
6
Are you forgetting WEII? Russia was our ally then. China was occupied by Japan. After WWII we helped Europe and Japan recover. Now Germany and Japan dominate our car industry and have a huge surplus with us, but they’re still dependent on us militarily. All the giving is on our side and the taking on theirs.
The question every body should be asking why would NK even talk to US? I bet they want to humiliate him...just watch.
US has no more power and the rich white men who are keeping Trump in power have not realized it yet. The bottom of this ship is sinking.
3
The president takes a contrary position on most issues. He thinks this how he should negotiate. He doesn’t have a strategic plan. All his strategy can fit into a twitter feed.
This is not leadership.
11
Simple solution: Adults only.
5
Well, that's just terrific!!! Trump will leave BEFORE meetings on clean energy, oceans, and climate change. Trump is the epitome of "my mind's made up, don't confuse me with the facts!"
8
This has all to do with one man's view of the world. How does that align with our country's trade and foreign policy? In both areas, relationships matter, an ingredient we see fast dissipating, right in front of our eyes.
Mr. Trump who has had no prior exposure to government or politics, has continuously shied away and ignored expert counsel at his disposal. As POTUS, to look at everything around him purely on a personal standpoint, is unwise. As a world leader, we have worked hard to get to that stage. We have always set the example, allowing others to follow. That leadership status may not be there forever. When that change happens, we have only to blame ourselves.
2
A question: why is it that Canada and the EU, which arguably have far more strict labor and environmental laws which impact steel production costs, are able to outsell US made steel not only on the world market, but right here in the US? Unlike China, steel production in Canada and the EU isn't state subsidized and isn't being dumped at below cost on the world market. Is this a case of mismanagement by US steel manufacturers, and failure to invest in updated production methods and a skilled workforce? Or what?
9
Trump is destroying America's standing in the world. But then, that is why Putin hired him.
10
So Trump is just going to walk away from the sessions on topics he doesn't want to hear. His unwillingness to engage in a fair debate of fact-based ideas is embarrassing to the Unitied States.
Trump's idea of a debate is that of a battle where he wins and others lose. It bears no resemblance to the intellectual trade of ideas in a normal discussion. The things that change Trump's mind are things that embarrass him or affect his personal finances.
He's well on his way to firing members of the EPA who have studied climate change and restricting their publications. He's surrounded himself with advisers who haven't a clue what science is. Congress doesn't care.
Melting ice caps? Huh. "There is plenty of ice up there"
May god help us! We need a President (we don't have one) and a new Congress (ours represents moneyed interests.)
10
I know we need to talk and listen to those we disagree with. But more and more I can't help thinking that people who support DJT are like lemmings........they will say yes to everything he says or does, no matter how dangerous or untrue any of those things are. He probably COULD get away with shooting someone on 5th Avenue if his voters made up the jury. Extrapolate that to world affairs, and you have our plummeting image and power. Men died 74 years ago on Omaha Beach for THAT?
11
One can only hope that the US system of 'checks and balances' between the Executive branch of government will be held back from these horrid tweets and moves by the US President. To challenge allies on issues not only of trade, but environment, defense and to praise and find comfort with strongarm tyrants, is unacceptable and undefensible. Eventually Congress and the US Supreme Court may have to act to counter the Presidency gone far astray from democratic principles and rule of law.
4
Congress should have acted long ago. The republicans are his enablers.
3
As a young French citizen who considers himself a friend to the United States I feel puzzled by the current situation.
Europe has been torn by war or by the promise of war for centuries. I am too young to remember the fall of the Berlin wall and the following years, but it seemed as if the West was on its way without effort to a more perfect union, both in the US or here in Europe. That western values were now to be the universal reality.
With security threats due to terrorism, the continued rise of autocratic nations and the economic crisis that increased inequalities in pay or unemployment, the dream of a more perfect union seems to distance itself from us. And now to many comes a sentiment of defeat.
But I refuse to be pessimistic. Democracry is a fight, and we may not be in a good place at the moment, but by not giving up to simplistic logic, by making informed decision and fighting for our democratic institutions while adapting them to our modern set of ethics will make the difference.
I keep my faith in the fact that the country that saved us from dictatorship twice in the last century will come back as a beacon for freedom and the rule of law. And for the short term, we Europeans should fight to steer clear of the murky waters of populism and support our moderate leaders in the defense of the rule of law both at home, and internationally, keeping in mind that America is a friend in a difficult time, even if it is of its own making.
9
Trump's America needs to be excluded from the G7, period.
3
Our President is a total failure and an embarrassment to the nation!!!
8
Donald Trump, an arrogant, strutting peacock.
5
Is Putin in town? Can't imagine any other reason for our so-called "president" to attend.
5
Every day brings another round of grotesque idiocy from Trump. He is truly working for Putin and destroying our nation for his own financial gain.
7
Poor Donald, he just doesn't play well with others, does he. What a petulant, small minded little boy he is. This bully needs a punch in the nose. What an embarrassment this man is.
7
Trump is *leaving early*? Seriously? What could be so important that he (again) insults our allies by not staying to discuss some of the most important issues facing the world? Does he not care? Does he know the rest will disagree with him, and he can't handle that? If he hits the golf course Saturday afternoon, America will never live it down.
7
The Saturday sessions are discussions of climate change, clean energy and oceans. Research based knowledge, rather than attitude, is required for meaningful participation in those talks.
Expecting trump to attend and participate in the Saturday sessions would be like expecting a 5-year old to attend and participate in a university calculus class.
10
The issue here is not just trade, but America's influence in the world. Iraq and Afghanistan show that hard power rarely works. What is left is the leadership of ideas and values. At first, most outside the US saw Trump as a problem unto himself. America's leadership was not much diminished. The realization is now dawning that Trump may not be an aberration, but fact represents the dominant American world view.
When President Trump quit the Paris climate accords, much of America, including state and local government, stepped into the breach and vowed to observe them even if the federal government would not. On trade, we have heard individual stories about firms that will be adversely affected, but no major government or private sector taking on Trump's unilateralism, except possibly on the narrow question of economic self-interest. I have not seen any major vocal opposition to the broader question of American unilateralism.
4
Of course he is skipping town. He's a coward. It's really laughable. He can't force these guys to sit around the table and sing his praises like he did with his cabinet. For America trump is basically useless.
13
Donald Trump is a disgrace as president. He seems like a Russian robot who is out to destroy the underpinnings of our once great country. I hope that our European and Canadian allies can excuse the antics of a delusional and deranged human being posing as a wannabe leader. He is a man without honor and integrity. What a disaster for the country I love.
11
Trump doesn’t understand the intricacies of trade. He thinks it should be a win win situation for the US. But trade is a give and take to balance out fairness as evenly as possible. It’s not the strongest gets all the favors. Trumps a bully and narcissist with no intellectual depth.
It will not turn out well. He’s trying to prop up Russia by taking down the EU. How stupid can a man be?
10
With allies like this who needs enemies? It is time that our European "allies' remember who came to their aid twice in the 20th century and they should stop taking advantage of the U.S. in trade.
Obviously his meeting with Kim in Singapore only 3 days later stole all thunder. Then to add fuel to the fire suggesting that Putin should be welcomed makes this G-7 meeting in little Canada a Saturday Night Special. Europe should cancel that meeting but, once again, is showing confusion, weakness, and constant dependency on the US.
1
How can we in good conscience send this boob to meet with what have been America's strongest allies. Trump is the national security risk. He's gonna wreck this economy that Obama got back on track.
9
Has anyone read a the actual lists of tariffs by product, both those imposed on imports to the US and those imposed on US goods to the G7?
Were the tariffs before Trump's acted very unfair and was the US really bamboozled by other negotiators when those tariffs were agreed? Hard to believe.
Rarely mentioned when discussing tariffs are the sometimes massive subsidies that governments around the world pay to support their own agriculture, industry? US included of course.
We really need some light, not more heat.
Doesn't matter in the least. These agreements are already in place; some carrying the force of law. For Trump to unilaterally decide what to renege on in terribly destructive
2
"Massive subsidies around the world"? I suggest before you talk about other countries "subsidies" look at your own. For eg., the massive multi-billion dollar subsidies paid out to farmers every year in the farm bill along with billions paid out to the fossil fuel industry in America and we are not even talking about government subsidies and money that have been handed out regularly to companies like Boeing.
"Corporate Welfare" in America has been alive and well for years, yet, for some reason you don't seem to be aware of it.
6
All I intended to say was that I am unaware of actual tariff and subsidy levels here and elsewhere. It DOES matter.
Yes, the figures have been negotiated and should be observed but, do you know whether US negotiators were "rolled over" at the time or not? I don't and I would suggest very few people do. All we have are the unending Twitter feeds from His Majesty.
The last time the US lurched into an international trade war was in 1930, shortly after the onset of The Great Depression (the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act). It ended up hurting the very people and industries it was meant to protect the most and extending and deepening the Depression around the world. Young Trump was probably so busy trying to stick gum behind his ear that he missed that part in history class.
If Trump, artless dealer that he is, were capable of listening to others, the G6 could save us from another destructive international trade war and all the resulting fall-out. If there is a trade war, history will credit him as having created it will be entirely on his own. And it will be branded "Trump".
6
Stop treating this some “story” Trump is not a black sheep but a highly skilled politician pursuing an agenda of anarchy. He and the GOP are not “conservative” but radical nihilists destroying every aspect of he world and national order that has brought peace and prosperity to billions of people. This is not a fairy tale, or a story of family politics. He is an abuser.
6
Republicans, you own this.
8
There could be a bright side. The budding animosity could promote European unity- common threat, common cause, common thread and all that. Certainly those folks need to (get their) act together.
1
Can the NY Times please write a headline and stick to it?
It is very confusing to have headlines constantly changing. How do you cite an article if the headline keeps changing? How do you recommend an article with a different headline?
Don't you want people to know which article they are reading? What are you guys thinking about?
3
Actually the G7 (becoming the G6+1) is still more the reflection of the world in the past centuries dominated by white colonialists. Just look at the members. Japan was added, yes but still it was also one of the Empires of the time. The world nevertheless is moving and transforming, not by the words of few political leaders but mostly by the decisions taken in Corporate offices. And this will be the case here.
That picture paints a thousand words....
2
With Trump attempting to be the tough guy on the block all he is proving that he is just a big-mouth bully with little knowledge of how global trade affects all countries.
When the tariffs begin to be felt in the marketplace of finished goods we will watch as whatever tax savings the grifter gave us evaporate, if it hasn’t already with the price of fuel.
Then we see the “president” further show his ignorance in not attending the meetings that help define how to protect this planet. What a moron.
This “winning” is not quite what many of us envisioned and Trump has reinforced what he really is and being a winner isn’t what he is.
5
Europe is in a weak position with a stagnant economy (.4%) while the US us approaching 4% for the quarter. We shall see who blinks first.
DT seems to be a believer that publicity, good or bad, is good publicity for him. He seems to be going out of his way to anger the friends and allies of the US to our and the world's detriment.
1
I certainly hope we can repair these breaches in trust with our allies in so many way's, once this no count snake oil salesman, liar to boot, and his Congressional Sycophant's are out of office. I find it hard to believe most American's feel right about poking your friend's in the eye. Am i wrong? I find it hard to believe most American's approve of separating children from their parent's.....can you even imagine!? Am i wrong?
Trump has no real friend's, (although, maybe he has a "special friend"), is stupid and delusional, and we need to hang on to our values and stand tall, America!!! Vote!!!
"If you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything" Muhammad Ali.
1
Geez, when will the fake news honestly report that the other G6 world leaders are the real problem and they're being unfair...and the FBI is part of the deep state...and Obama administration wiretapped Trump and planted a spy...and Comey / Clapper / Brennan are all liars and fake patriots...and on and on again. Trump is right and truthful about everything if only the rest of the world was not conspiring against him...yeah, yeah, that's the ticket.
1
What’s the deal? Trump would never act like this with Comrade Vlad.
1
We travel throughout Europe and in our experience most Europeans are as shocked and dismayed by Trump as we are.
8
I hope our allies do slam Trump, and break with him. It's long overdue.
I do not want America to lose its allies, and I think that will not happen after that idiot Trump is gone.
3
That photo says it all
3
I thought the "newsroom" was separate from the opinion section.
Now, finally now, will any of the sycophant Republicans come out of silent boot-licking mode and show a little intestinal fortitude for once and oppose this clown who's become an international version of a high school punk and laughingstock? Don't count on it.
6
Trump and congress are cowards. He is afraid to face our Allies but not afraid to work with Putin, who by the way is the known ENEMY of the UNITED STATES. If congress doesn't speak up soon and side for the good of our country and not for this spoiled bully of a president, we will not be able to reverse course. Is no one willing to call this person out ? Is everyone in congress worried about themselves and not us? That is not the way things are supposed to work. We are paying for you to help make our lives and country safer and better...….you are not ! Now we have sunk so low that we are taking babies out of the arms of mothers and not telling the mothers where their children are. Mr. Ryan, how do you sleep at night, Mrs. Trump , do you know of this ??? Mr. Sessions, your voice tells so much about what kind of a person you are, so we know you are sleeping at night. This is not how you make America Great Again.
7
If Trump were an agent working on behalf of Russian interests he could not have done better. Dismantling the alliance among the G7, undermining our democracy, and now asking for Russia to be returned to the G7. Obviously Russia colluded with him and his campaign and must surely be happy with the results. Only a dolt would not see the evidence.
6
Time to put an end to Trump's clown show.
5
President Trump is a clown who would rather partner up with Putin and the dregs of the world than our traditional allies who have been fighting right along side of us since 9/11 and most since WWII.
5
Apparently trump said Russia should be part of the G-7 (G-8 with Russia). This confirms that trump is either (1) Putin's useful idiot or (2) a Russian spy/mole. I hope it's number 1. Either way, it's treason.
3
maybe the G7 will realize the US is not a sucker. Pay your bills, NATO allies. Pay up. Then get all huffy. Or just realize: we take care of our citizens first. You take care of your nations, first. That's how it should be.
I don't know if Trump is a traitor. "Some people are saying that it's true."
But I'm guessing that if Putin was able to dictate U.S. foreign policy, he would want us to alienate our historical allies, make concessions to our historical enemies, and compliment the world's dictators.
This is what Trump is doing.
2
Mr Putin's laundry list of destabilization is getting checked off at a rapid rate- destabilize Nato, weaken Euro-American relations with gratuitously damaged Canada-US and Mexico-US relations thrown in for for good measure, weaken democratic institutions, create chaos in the West with a chaotic, lying numbskull in the Oval office etc. etc. This pathetic, insane circus clown has done more damage to the West than all the soviet spies since the beginning of the cold war-a real nice favor for his Russian mob buddies. Frog-march him out of the White House in cuffs please...our country can't tolerate this Manchurian insanity much longer!
3
a lifesize cutout photo of DONALD trump should be sent to the G7 meeting. maybe send it to SINGAPORE AS WELL. There is no intelligence or thought processes in either...
2
Trump is extremely money-minded and runs the country like a third-rate CEO. He lacks the sense of loyalty and history that befits a statesman, seeing no incentive to cultivate the decades long alliances and friendships if they don’t bring him any benefit. Besides he doesn’t feel at home with Western leaders who embrace liberal values, preferring the likes of King Salman of Saudi Arabia or Benjamin Netanyahu who practically kiss the ground he walks on.
China and Russia will benefit hugely from this Transatlantic rift. Trump thinks he can confront China on his own, like Churchill against Hitler. The EU is especially vulnerable, now that Brussels can no longer rely on Trump to combat their trade deficits with China. Putin is smugly pleased to see this mess, hoping to convince Europe that Russia is its white knight.
5
More obvious than ever, Trump is Putin’s Poodle. A Russian asset in the US Presidency.
4
Trump is just trying to force others to buy US products, or relocate business to the US, but it won't last, as there's not logical reason to do those things. After the tariffs come off, what then? There's no strategy, no long-term planning in this administration, just crashing from one crisis to the next. China will have to be the next world leader.
3
I can understand why Trump is sucking up to Kim while punching at his allies. This is how bullies work. Kim has nukes that the US military essentially can't reach and the allies don't. So the bully approach is to cower before obstacles you know you can't overcome and bulldoze your way through those you think you can. Standing up to bullies is the only way to diminish them and it seems the G-6 is well aware of this. Should be an interesting summit and possibly the last of its kind for a another year or two.
7
I foresee America becoming as isolated from the rest of the world as was the USSR dueing the Cold War.
5
Trump has had no guiding principles for his life except "winning." Therefore, he has no guiding principles for any of his words and actions as president. That was clear in his campaign to any voter who had eyes to see. He can play American citizens and voters like pawns in his game because we honor the office he holds and because we want our country to "win" in any endeavor as a matter of patriotism. But the peoples of our allies and their leaders have no such default allegiance to a United States president. They too have their honor, pride and their own patriotism. Trump seems to think America is so powerful economically and militarily that we don't need friends.
3
“There’s no underestimating the level of anger and frustration.” How do I measure my level of anger and frustration at this US government? All I can say publicly is the level gets very high. I try to maintain hope and be patient. I vote and I support the hard work of activists and seekers of truth. The US is the richest most powerful country in the world. We have worsening inequality with horrific homelessness and poverty. And Trump is blaming Canada and Western Europe? We are their victim?
5
Trump's only "friends" among international leaders are Putin and Kim, and they are just using him. The man is worse than incompetent; he is a destructive force and the sooner he is out of the White House, the better off the world will be.
13
The only way to get to Trump's id is to look at his spontaneous tweets. “Please tell Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron …" is revealing in that it shows how the president absolves all responsibility for his actions. WHO ELSE is going to tell the leaders of France & Canada except himself, at the meeting?
I watched "Advice and Consent" last night. Even though it purports to show the sordid underbelly of Congress & the president, it almost made me weep to watch such civil, measured, intelligent discourse from senators and the president.
2
I blame American education and poorly educated grandparents and parents and students and, who can forget, evangelicals who contrive to create our electorate. And yet ... the worst is not, as you can say, “this is the worst.” A thought to choke on.
3
I think Putin is getting exactly what he paid for or invested in regardless of whether Trump was unknowingly complicit or not. So Trump has:
Divided us as a nation more than in recent decades.
Undermined our free press.
Made lying seem normal.
Weakened or economic and political relationship with Canada, Mexico and Europe.
Destroyed our Dignity and Respect in the eyes of the world.
And China is not doing bad either and N. Korea's Kim is flying high, st least for the moment.
Meantime, down on the farm...over at the auto plant and at the grocery store checkout counter...not so good.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Congratulations Mr. Putin.
11
I wish he would skip the whole thing. Trump is a joke.
4
"at least he is shaking up the status quo". Please!
Any world leader whose only input is to flip the bird at their allies is shaking up the status quo – hardly something to crow about.
His fans will no doubt revel in such a puerile display while everyone else will see it for what it is – a world class tantrum from a know-nothing rushing for the exits in an attempt to mask his ignorance and unsuitability and avoid being called to task for his lies.
11
$811,000,000,000. That was the US trade deficit in Goods last year. With "friends" and "allies" who are raiding the nest of the Golden Goose, who needs enemies. And, that doesn't include the cost of the security blanket the US provides for Western Europe.
Of course our G6 Partners are furious. They stand to lose a lot of money, ie political capital, if they have to play the trade game fairly. Those protectionist Ontario dairy farmers would not take kindly to competing with American dairy farmers.
When our European "friends", like France and Germany, demand that the US pull out of NATO - no more worries about Article V - then we'll know they really don't need the largesse of the US to capitalize their social experiments.
Yeah! No health care or education or clean air for any one!
1
DT: "I just son't go to their silly meeting. That'll show 'em"
2
"He will attend an early-morning session on 'women’s empowerment'.”
I ask you, is there a bigger fraud in the country?
9
Trump is acting like Putin’s minion - weakening America’s alliance with Europe without Russia having to lift a finger.
9
America First - America Alone. SAD!
2
The United States has gone from being the "indispensable" power to being the irrelevant dwarf under Trump. Clear to our former best friends is that Trump--and the GOP--have been taken over by a hostile power. It's not "vampires," it's Putin. It was not through a military defeat, but through a clever exploitation of our own habits and illusions via the Internet.
10
Crazy president trump (yes lower case) is destroying the planet, all foreign relationships, and hope. The United States as a beacon is flickering. His tax cut for the wealthy has accelerated damage to social security and Medicare, NYT today.
We are in a crisis now. He’s insane.
Can’t you see that. His family is crazy. His friends are corrupt. Giuliani is a doddering legal court jester, Pence and Ryan aid and abetted everything. All wealthy.
Planet, environment gets no respect.
Pruitt? Are we in a nightmare? Yes!
Mulvaney consumer protection means get what you can squeeze from corporations to crush Americans. Are you fed up America?
Does the planet, allies, the future matter? Yes!’
4
When I hear the words "Trump Tower," it only reminds me what a towering fool he is. America will not be defeated with guns or missiles, but through the sheer stupidity of this president and those who voted for him.
4
Putin smiles as his little puppet trump turns the USA against its Allies.
8
Let's see who he shoves out of the way this year.
4
Putin most certainly has his ignorant toady in the White House doing his bidding of gutting the western alliance to make the world safe for oligarchs and despots. Two more years of this?
5
Everyday there is total chaos coming out of this GOP White House. Trump has managed to anger all our allies over tariffs ,leaving the Paris climate deal , and now wanting the dictator for life Putin back in the G-7. Trump is a traitor to all the free world values and also his GOP party. He is a bully , he abuses women , he and the GOP will get us in a war the list can go on and on. I sincerely hope the G-7 ignore that treasonous request and ostracize Mr Trump from now on. What a nightmare the GOP supporters put in our White House. Shame on them.
12
In other news, trump continues to consolidate power
2
Not much here to figure out, really. The educated make him uncomfortable. He likes bullies and gangsters.
23
The GOP stood blithely by while Trump called African nations an unrepeatable slur, bragged about grabbing female anatomy, called for children to be ripped away from their parents & put in cages and called murderous right wing terrorists "good people." Something tells me they won't stand for this though. Dotard is going after their bottom line now, the only thing the GOP hold sacred. Even those greedy old Koch plutocrats oppose Trump's utterly insane tariff agenda.
8
Hey, seen Scorsese's movie Casino lately? This is what you get when you elect a golf course manager and real estate con man as president of The United States.
Nice going.
18
Trump has no more understanding of economics, or any complex subject, than has a monkey.
He is utterly unqualified to assess what is "fair", and what is "good for the U.S.", or to make decisions beyond the scope of running a hot-dog stand.
He's certainly totally unqualified to make decisions regarding AGW (please, he asked Bill Gates whether he should investigate the vaccination scam, and whether HIV is the same as HPV - wow). I'd like to ask him the difference between an isotope and an ion. Heck, I'd like to ask him to name the continents.
Listen to him speak (contemporaneously), read his tweets (those actually authored by him).
He is profoundly ignorant, and incapable of coherent thought.
In addition to being a pathological liar, a hypocrite, utterly self-serving and narcissistic.
What an embarrassment for the country that enough Americans were naive (nicest word I can use here) enough to elect him.
He's made us a laughingstock.
I'd like to apologize to the rest of the world (though I didn't vote for the miscreant).
6
What's really unbelievable is that our country is being run by cretans who actually believe him.
6
Elizabeth, it is not that they "believe" him; it is that his agenda fills their pockets with money. It is all about THE MONEY. That is why congress smirks, keeps their mouths shut, and is complicit. And trump's reprehensible cabinet as well. They are all Fascist oligarchs. the lot of them.
4
What is trump's obsession with Russia??? now he wants putin in the G7 again.
Mueller please explain this irrational attachment soon!
4
Yes, Bob!
What is this with wanting Putin in the G7?
He is absolutely obsessed with Putin!
2
Who could have ever believed that United States of America would court alliances with Russia, North Korea and China while disenfranchising our allies in NATO, Latin America and North America? Benedict Arnold must be dancing a jig!
11
In the photo, Trump looks very lonely , depressed and ignored. He is poking his fingers at the eyes of our trusted allies. Trump has two friends --------number one Putin and number Netanyahu. But he is winning and America is loosing.
3
I didn't vote for Trump - I'm a lifelong Democratic party voter.
As NYC resident, I knew all about his sleazy tricks in the Real Estate industry. I always despised him. And certainly, his performance in office hasn't changed my opinion of him.
That said, the way the New York Times reports on Trump, and the endless witless comments by readers bashing Trump, have reached a new low.
Why doesn't the Times ever say a word about who will be challenging Trump in 2020? Does anyone really think that endlessly saying: He's an idiot, He's an idiot, is going to solve any problem?
If I wanted to read the Daily News, I would buy it.
2
"Why doesn't the Times ever say a word about who will be challenging Trump in 2020?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't think we know that yet. The NYT will report on it when it is the right time. Right now, I would say that we are in an unknown territory as far as that is concerned.
2
Is it possible he will take off a shoe and pound it on the table to make a point? Outlandish buffoon with behaviour reminiscent of a two year old having a tantrum. Just making America great again?
Take your football and go home mr bully.
4
The sub-head ("black sheep who picked a fight with his relatives before arriving to dinner") IS misleading in one respect. Unlike your relatives, the G7 can effectively kick you out and "forget" to invite you to future christenings, weddings, holiday celebrations, trade agreements, intelligence coups, and defense summits. Not a case of just losing out on Aunt Angela's fruitcake.
2
You got it right tim k!
There is much wisdom contained in knowing "That it is better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt".
At both the G-7 in Canada and the Korean summit in Singapore there is no doubt that Donald John Trump will be the supreme fool presence. Embarrassing America and Americans with his sustained bloviating ignorant, immature, incompetent, intemperate and insecure buffoonery.
12
My suggestion to the G 7 being treated like this: turn your physical backs to 45; do NOT invite him
to any social gathering whether a meal or cocktails; ignore him in as many insulting ways that reach him.
Right now this fool believes you need him. Tell him otherwise if only symbolically. Then throw up the tariff walls big time and sink his political allies and constituency. Squeeze them till they bleed .
These steps are what he understands .
he will react like the cornered bully he is.
Continue to have him throw his 3 year old’s temper tantrum. COntinue to ignore him.
Make him de facto irrelevant.
Let the chips fall ....trade among yourselves and freeze the US out of as much as possible.
Trade wars are easy to win. Respect you owe me.
Right. Bully sucker stupid. I mean the spineless GOP Congress.
He s beyond redemption. The world should ignore him away by now. If you haven’t started yet no time is the right time.
Start now. You will breathe easier live longer.
9
Trump wants Russia back in the G-7 while he trashes and attacks our allies? Can he be any more transparent as a puppet for Vladimir Putin? Would not be surprised if the other countries expel the USA as no longer trustworthy until Trump someday is gone.
5
One can only hope that Mr. Trump is not long for this world.
3
As someone on another site's comments suggested, we should pass a very high tariff against importing Trump back into the U.S. Immediately!
8
Mitt Romney predicts Trump will win a "golden" victory in 2020, as another competitor paper headline screams tonight; the Times reports that the GOP is now a personality cult rallying around Trump. Meanwhile, Trump isolates himself and manages to alienate our allies. How far will this all go? Will Trump supersede the law and fire everyone who opposes him? I have been skeptical about the predictions that Trump will become a soft dictator. Not I'm not so sure. At this point, it's even hard to imagine that anything Mueller finds can dislodge this scary and vapid ignoramus.
7
After the 2016 election, I expected nothing from this lifelong fraud... And i was wrong... He continues to deliver far less than nothing..
3
What will happen when we get into a shouting match with China after we shaft G-6? China will quit buying our debt and then we'll really be in trouble.
2
what makes you think china is buying t bills? they learned their lesson during the bush years. they unload gradually so as not to hurt themselves.
we are the world's biggest debtor. 20+ trillions, and not counting the unfunded pensions at state and local levels. we are in worse shape than the Greeks.
it's all about the debtholder's ability to repay.
Trump thinks that trade is a threat. However, free trade is self correcting. Bigger threat is annual trillion dollar deficits imposed by republican tax cut.
6
For the Trump base standing by this president, I cringe daily at their sheer ignorance combined with gullibility, their inability to understand the world beyond their backyards, their pure selfishness and now their downright stupidity (yes, I know we are supposed to try to understand why they support him). And just because the person playing president makes them feel good about themselves. Talk about a public health crisis. We need a national intervention for a good chuck of America.
6
I am so tired of feeling angry and frightened when I think about what this selfish , self-serving , aspiring dictator is doing to us.
I think of my late father who proudly served in WW2 and of the world revel and pride on my mother’s face when she talked about the wonderful new world after WW2 with our alliances. I think of my mother’s thankfulness that the great Winston Churchill fought with every last ounce of blood to save the world and save the Jews. I think of my father’s small funeral with him buried in a plain box but with military honors , taps playing in the background.
And then I think of what could happen to us if we keep separating ourselves from the rest of the free world.
Our vote is the only thing that can stop this dangerous despot . Vote in November like your life depends on it, because it does.
10
If Donald wore bangs, we'd really know the meaning of lunatic fringe. Lunacy is the only explanation for his bizarre world view. His mouth is an AK-47, and it is doing us so much harm it's impossible to quantify. Unless the other leaders need to talk among themselves, I'm amazed they didn't boycott this meeting. All Kim III will have to do to get his way is give him a gold necklace as the Saudis did. Maybe it would work for the G-7 leaders too.
4
Donald Trump is not a US ally.
3
The G7 matters little to Trump as one can see from his curtailed presence at the summit. He's off on his own fix it mission with dreams of looming greatness to consume all attention. Being in a room is not the same as engaging and listening; you might as well send a tub of lard in his place to avoid the Trump firework display for voters back home.
4
America is another casino Donald Trump is fleecing financially while driving it towards bankruptcy politically...
8
I sure hope Trudeau and Macron have learned their lessons that the charm offense doesn't work with this clod. They might as well be straightforward about what they want. The only deal for Donald is Donald's deal
6
What else can we expect from a president whose resume reads like the list of the seven deadly sins. He's an expert at destroying relationships by alienating people because he's a totally miserable person who spreads his negativity wherever he goes. He's not interested in making the world a better place. He's interested in one thing: Donald Trump.
5
Bill Walsh: Perfect. Everything you say is true. A miserable, negative person, who is interested only in himself.
1
Shadow, you keep using the word "thinking" as it applies to Trump, e.g., "he thinks it isn't important to know stuff". Please, Trump does not have a functional brain and he does not think. His dysfunctional brain emanates random, bullying and self-prompting statements.
1
Here’s an apt description of Mr. Trump:
““superficial, hasty, restless, unable to relax, without any deeper level of seriousness, without any desire for hard work or drive to see things through to the end, without any sense of sobriety, for balance and boundaries, or even for reality and real problems, uncontrollable and scarcely capable of learning from experience, desperate for applause and success. ...”
I borrowed it from the historian Thomas Nipperdey, who was describing Kaiser Wilhelm II. “He meddled in German foreign policy on the basis of his emotions, resulting in incoherence and inconsistency in German relations with other nations.”
(Kaiser Wilhelm II - World War I - HISTORY.com).
(See also https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/10/12/the-donald-trump-kaiser-wilhelm-par...
6
Please, Congress, do your constitutional duty and remove this man from office while we still have a few friends left in this world.
5
ken starr had nothing on Clinton. until the stained dress.
muller has nothing on trump. zilch.
I am not a trump supporter.
1
Trump is uncomfortable being confronted by other leaders. As a narcissist, he has to be the big man on the stage, and nothing can make him look bad. Yet he would be embarrassed, perhaps even humiliated, by these other leaders and their more informed stances to the world's larger problems, like climate change. His only way of dealing with this is to exit. The G-7 will effectively be the G-6 until Trump is replaced.
2
Not only must he European countries not yield to the current aberration in Washington they must retain control of their own nuclear weapons. The American political system is unstable. That happens with young impetuous nations. Especially those run by fools imagining themselves omniscient.
4
So Mr. Trump, this is what your "winning" looks like? The only one's "winning" is Putin and the Russian's who are sitting back over their Stoly, laughing themselves to sleep, while the only powers that contain them, fracture before their eyes.
Even the least thoughtful American, must be thinking, who would do this, why would they choose this path, when the entire world see's who will benefit most. It will certainly not be America. What Mr. Trump does Russia have on you?
Mr. Mueller, the free world is out of time. Let's see your report, good, bad and the ugly, and hope our feckless Republican leadership does their job.
7
Trump issues a statement this morning calling for Russia to be brought back into the G7 after being expelled after annexing Crimea in 2014....just another way for Trump to muddy the moment, to create a diversion away from the tariffs and the issues at hand. Only by taking back the House in November can the country begin to limit this madman.
3
“Comments are moderated for civility...”
Guess that leaves me out this morning, because there’s nothing I can think of to say about Trump that is civil.
5
Demonstrating once again that the US president is no longer "The Leader of the Free World".
4
My European friends no longer even talk to me about the US and how poorly it is treating its former allies. I am too embarrassed to be an American at this point to even mention Trump's behavior toward them. In the long run both the US economy and world peace will suffer greatly from the poor choice Americans made placing this childish fool in charge of the US government. He sees himself as worthy of a Nobel prize while I see him as being unworthy of successfully running his cheesy empire of gambling establishments.
5
France is the beneficiary of Marx and is a socialist country, they depend on the US not the opposite. Trump has not isolated the USA but he has decided to flex the muscle, which in the opinion of over 50% of the US citizens is long over due. Germany with Angela will drown without the US as a recipient of their products- which are well made. No Trump is not the go-along that they are used to nor does he pause and vomit up awe and favor for Europe as does the left. Canada will get in line rapidly.
China is the problem
God forbid that people have free healthcare, education, and clean air. You don’t see homeless lining the streets of Germany or France.
The American people are the ones who will lose. US hegemony is over.
Dear Allies-
These are not the decisions of the United States. These are the decisions of one man who wants to be King. More than 50% of us disagree with him on many, many fronts. Please do not allow his histrionics on Twitter and rash decisions color what you think of the nation as a whole.
5
Did they remember to set up a putt putt course there to keep him entertained?
4
When will the painful, backward idiocy of this so-called "presidency" end?
Neither Trump, nor his sycophants, are intelligent enough to understand how foreign trade (balances and imbalances) work. They have turned it into a simplistic "quid pro quo" rational, which is ridiculous. Hopefully, this will spur some public discourse and explanation about this very complex subject.
Heaven help preserve our country - and all our faithful allies - until we can restore some intelligent, rational leadership to our Executive.
2
Could trump make his obedience to putin any more plain?
Republicans are you paying attention?
He is insisting that Russia be brought back into the G-7 despite their continuing war in Ukraine and interference in European elections.
He is trashing our most important alliances and shilling for Russia.
Get it???
3
It is not leadership when you look behind you and there is no one there.
2
Wow! I love how Trump doing exactly ( and I mean exactly) what he says he will do gets under so many people's skin!
I love it! He drives the discussion!
I love how he says things that make people's heads explode!
He will be re-elected for 4 more years!
There are so many people out there who are silent and fed up with all previous politicians and political leeches!
2
G6. Call Trump’s bluff. He will wither
8
If one were in a coma for many years and just awoke and read your reply above, they would think they were having a nightmare rather than being awake and prefer the coma.
5
Trump is an embarrassment both internationally and at home. He single-handedly weakened US influence, prestige, and power. Historians will look back on this period as the time when the US lost its position as a global superpower, lost the respect of its allies, and earned the nickname "ugly American." We used to stand for greatness, fairness, liberty, high ideals, and we were the envy of the world. Because of Trump, I am embarrassed to let people know that I am an American when I travel abroad.
4
Attempting to rationalize Trump's behavior is a study in futility. Paranoids. like Mr. Trump, must constantly create and maintain a pseudo-community of adversaries around them selves to justify their rage and elevate their own status as supreme heroic victims of relentless attack from illintentioned others. The adversaries carry the projected self-hatred of the paranoid and simultaneously give vent to it. Trump's self-esteem must set a new low in the psychiatric annals to require such constant, unrelenting projective support and grandiosity in order to preserve itself and our Dear Leader. When his fragile narcissism finally fractures, he will be even more desperate to defend against the truth of his own inadequacy and self-loathing. His father must have treated him with utter contempt, while praising his accomplishment of assigned tasks, while his mother lavished limitless unconditional love for the tiniest achievement. Thus, he has internalized this relentless and paradoxical conditional love for grand accomplishment simultaneously with utter unloveability. What a painful world he must live in. A combination of an unachieveable ego-ideal, a nearly unlimited id, and a constantly punishing super-ego requiring constant repression and projection of rage. Ouch! When this bomb explodes, there will indeed be a mushroom cloud. Stress R Us
4
Breaking news: Trump says Russia should be reinstated to the economic conference of nations so that it will once again be the G-8. The Trumpophobes will of course go hysterical over this, but he said all along that the lines of communication with Russia should remain open. He’s way ahead of everyone else who would just love it if the US were kicked out and it became the G6. History is going in the opposite direction and he is in the lead as usual. How can the opposition at home be so dumb?
Ban McDonald's and all its junk food affiliate exporters now!
2
Grab hold of him before he leaves and charge with crimes against humanity. Please!
7
“Mr. Trump is the black sheep of this family, the estranged sibling who decided to pick fights with his relatives just before arriving to dinner. ”
Trump told them this time we expect to split the bill, and we are not going to put up with them claiming to have forgotten their wallet again.
And they are mad.
1
The body language in that photo speaks volumes about how our allies feel about Donald Trump...
4
America is leading. Allies will march in lock step with Trump. They have no choice. They need America more than we need them. We saved Europe in World War II. Without us the whole lot of them would be speaking German. So stop the whining Europe. Trump is now the supreme leader of the entire World. The days of Obama appeasement of Iran and North Korea are over. No more apologizing for American power and wealth. We are the greatest nation on the face of the earth. It is about time we had a leader who acted like it. Europe must follow or row their own gears. Stay tuned.
1
follow the money. and the money is not in good old us of a.
we are the biggest debtor nation in the world. Germany asked to repatriate their gold from the fed not too long ago. Turkey did likewise.
the handwriting is on the wall.
1
Yeah stay tuned. Americans are in for a big surprise.
Yawn. The media keeps reporting on the most uninteresting man who has nothing of substance to say. I have a serious case of Trump fatigue and I am sick of looking at his scowling face every day in the press.
5
This article incorrectly calls the American King the black sheep in the family. A toddler having temper tantrums is more like it. Pathetic for a country which used to be the leader of the free world.
6
That photo pretty much sums it up.
It will be interesting to see Putin's Lapdog face the humiliation of not being the center of the universe in this meeting.
I can't say I'm surprised he's already announced he's cutting the meeting short; no doubt he's still trying to get Pence or some other flunky to go in his place.
5
Estranged sibling? Black sheep? No, more like Marvel's Annihilus.
Trademark Twitter bluntness? No, more like "undiagnosed sociopathic liar."
There's a lot of euphemistic understatement in this article, but at least, characterizing the response of allies to the president as "visceral and unanimous outrage" seems about right.
Is Trump such a willful ignoramus he cannot understand that the U.S. runs a trade surplus with Canada?
Also, in Canadian high schools we learned that Washington was torched by the Royal Navy in retaliation for the earlier burning of York (Toronto) by American soldiers.
3
I feel sorry for the majority of Americans who will be paying the price for Donald J. Trump's childish tantrums, aimless governance and outright corruption. Trump's arrogance coupled with his lack of knowledge in relation to the basics of geopolitics is exciting for his base but detrimental to everything America has accomplished at home and on the world stage since WWII. America is saddled with its first cry baby, spoiled brat bully as president. Donald J. Trump is the first case of Afluenza in America long before it entered our vernacular a few years ago.
7
The faster we remove ALL Republicans from public office, the faster this nightmare will end.
13
Great statement by Macron. I wish he had added a proviso to the effect that the Group of 6 will consider permitting the US to re-enter when the current administration is where it belongs: in the world's rear view mirror.
Enlightened Americans: PLEASE get out and vote in November! You will be doing not only yourselves but the entire world a service. (Trump supporters can stay home and watch reruns of Roxanne.)
6
I wish more legislators and Americans would speak up and say that Mr. Trump does not represent them. Why don't they speak up against this isolationist policy? Mr. Trump is the worst President in history, he is horrible.
Where is the outcry by legislators?
1
Interesting, Trump economy is flourishing while other G7 countries are flailing.
1
Yes, they handled the 2008 debacle very differently than President Obama. Our economy got back on track much faster the Europeans.
1
Growth from unsustainable avenues is dead end.
Plus, a con always looks good in the beginning.
This win/lose game will be ugly for US economy and security.
Not really.
The Europeans are not US allies. They are dependents we have been defending and bankrolling for over a century. The should gratefully thank their benefactor or shut up and say nothing.
I hope they ignore him, and push him out of any group photos.
3
It would be appropriate and gratifying if the G6 just froze that 7th guy out during the summit - don't engage with the bully, don't talk to the bully, just ignore the bully, act like he's invisible (I can't even mention his name or look at his photo without feeling annoyed), and get on with building a strong consensus on all fronts between the six leaders who are sane and care about solid alliances, global trade, and the need to address climate change. Why not just freeze the bully out of the club if he considers the summit so insignificant that he has to 'leave early' to visit with his North Korean chum? What is this, high school? Oh, did T not get the memo about the dates of the G7 Summit before he booked his flights to Singapore - his on-again-off-again date with the "young 'un"?
1
"President Trump will skip most of the second day of a summit meeting with allies this weekend..."
In favor of generating another tweetstorm, lashing, railing, attacking, denigrating, insulting...our allies.
The Trump era, QED.
2
Trump's method is becoming fairly obvious. Like a bully, he picks fights with weaker nations, especially friendly ones, so he can be seen as a tough guy. On the other hand, he cozies up to strong adversaries and bends over backwards to make deals with them so he can be seen as a great statesman. Once this guy is gone, let's hope the US can repair its international standing.
4
The US has not been benefiting from trade as of late. The US continues to defend all 6 of the other countries and they are counting on the ignorance of American liberals.
All six countries have become lazy to varying degrees. I hope that there are citizens in Germany, Italy, Britian and Canada who will vote out the leaders who have turned their backs on or shared ideals.
1
45 thinks his job is but a game.
1
Trump's approach is designed to gain concessions, something his predecessors rarely demanded. If Trump can improve our trade situation even a little, it will have been worth the bruised egos of others. I really don't care how Merkel and others feel. Of course, they don't like it. They are being asked to do more and/or do things differently and they don't believe they should be asked to.
2
This is the kind of thing Trump does, which should not be a surprise to anyone, given the record. His singular need, if not an obsession, is to choose a way ... the more lacking in morality, the the more effective ... to focus attention on himself. And so, the greater the outrage, the more satisfied he is. But with him, it’ll never be enough. G6 plus 1, in other words, is a dream-come-true for him as long he‘s the 1 ... to some transient extent, “mission accomplished.” Think about it: “1” in the sense of “The One.” Oh, there are plenty like this; he’s hardly unique. The problem is he’s the President of the United States. Worse, “we” in the collective sense, elected him to this office. It’ll be a while before we re-connect with the civilized world. Indeed, why should it trust us?
1
If Russia's intent was to get Donald Trump elected, what do you think the result of that effort would look like?
4
" ... he will be gone before any joint statement is issued by the other leaders."
Other leaders? Trump is a leader? News to me.
1
These 6 other countries are our friends, they have gone to war for us. Now we are supposed to turn our backs on them because trump has new "friends", Putin, Xie and Kim? Really? What does the republicans in congress think? Are they good with this change? Are they too making money out of this? Because this must be about business deals for trump.
2
Donald Trump has attempted to keep his profound ignorance and isolation hidden for as long as possible; NO press conferences (he fears being exposed for what he is, a blusterer, all hat and no cattle). Look for him to storm out of the meetings early, as he cannot deliver the goods and the G-6 leaders, all accomplished veterans in leadership, will have his head spinning. He cannot compete; he is not an isolated human being on all levels for nothing. Just look at the photo - he is clueless. An embarassment. He deserves a good public drubbing - from which he will, of course, learn nothing. In his mind, he already knows everything worth knowing. Sad! AND dangerous.
5
Europe collectively must view the US as bi-polar. When a Democratic is President we are normal, predictable, sane, and intelligent. When a Republican is president we are devious, unpredictable, and warring. With Trump the US is having its worse manic phase ever, with our relative nations considering how to have us committed somewhere with a high fence and a straight jacket where we cannot hurt any other nation nor ourselves.
2
He's the symptom of a sick society. And no healing in sight.
I am annoyed that the "leader" of the US will not only go into the G-7 indicating the lack of accord with other world leaders on trade matters, but that he intends to leave to avoid consideration of the concerns of these colleagues having to do with global warming and climate change. Seems to me that a rational person would at least stick around so as to understand the points of view of informed allies. I even would dream of his having the likes of Scott Pruitt as part of his entourage to at least soak up what many of US constituents and a majority of US scientist think is a serious concern. Yes, just dreaming here.
1
A Petulant child is leading the country
- 30 or 40 million people here think thats the way ( would they allow their own children to be like that? would they want their daughters to marry a man like that? would they want their sons to act that way yo them? to their friends and relatives? - I doubt it )
And the republican party is on TV each day explaining what he 'really ' means or 'really says'
Chance the Gardener made to the white house - but the evil Chance - the one with a dark side.
2
For those of you who thought the US was disrespected by our allies and the world when Obama was president, two points: First, having lived in Germany, this was simply not the case. Our allies and the rest of the world looked to the US for leadership. Second, with Trump in office, they're not looking to us at all any more.
4
I get the uneasy feeling that a lot of this is just Trump saying "what happens if I flip this switch?" or "I wonder what this lever does" or "oh, look at that cool yellow button - let's press that!" There seems to be no research, forethought, or study on any of the relevant issues and/or the possible consequences of his actions.
He has his press secretary, GOP sycophants and state TV channel to make excuses if things don't go well while he shrugs his shoulders and moves on to the next items on his destructive agenda.
He's playing games with our entire economy and country...just because he can.
3
I'm glad someone! is willing to stand up to this Know-nothing president.
I just wish it was our own Congress.
5
Does anyone dare to look into the future that Trump is steering the world into? The nation with the most nuclear power is running amok and refuse to compromise, refuse to acknowledge existing deals, contracts and agreements. In his own country he is playing the justice system, dismantling environment- and consumer protection and maintain his power by deliberate lies and propaganda.
USA today is not a country any democratic country is proud to be seen with. They are forced by the current economic power and, of course, the wish to still stay civilized. Trump does not care about being civilized. Does he even care about the civilization?
What is happening is hard to understand, hard to accept. How can a country fall so fast, so deep below what used to be its trademark values?
6
This disgraceful president has no concern for our strongest allies - in his world, it's USA (or should I say, those Americans who "like" him) and that's all that matters. We are witnessing 75 years of trust and collaboration going down the drain. A cowardly move to exit the summit early, as Trump doesn't have the nerve to face opposing views - even when humankind depends on it.
2
If you look at the numbers the trade pacts are to far out of balance. If our partners were acting in good faith they would agree they need to be renegotiated to create more balance. Did the tariffs come first or a request to our allies to bring them back into balance?
2
"Trademark Twitter bluntness" is putting it nicely. A teenager would be expelled from school for the name-calling and bullying that your president is doing on a daily basis.
7
Donald Trump has a whole lot more to reveal in a trial court about his relationship with Vladimir Putin, especially as he wants Russia restored to the G-7. Putin is blackmaing Trump. The "DIRT" would lead to immediate impeachment.
2
If the US allies were allies, and seen China as consumers that will be able to demand a level of quality, they'd support the US trade position. Unless they're planning to lead a Progressive West while under another umbrella, e.g. Russia, India; though neither believe in Progressives. Or perhaps they'll be contented following each other. It seems they believe they can give 300 + US Electoral votes the finger, then form some sort of coalition to resume leadership into bankruptcy and conflict. By now they should've realized, that their muck and mire are why Trump was elected. But they're still in denial, or feign it; believing their own press clippings, or pretending to; as they fabricate the next headline, purporting its virtue.. Their positions are more out of electoral spite than anything else; defying economic and geopolitical reason. Such leadership could result in bankruptcy and conflicts.
1
When will people wake up and see? Russia’s plan to disrupt the 2016 election went beyond denying Clinton the presidency. Trump is a Manchurian president who’s actions are meant to disrupt the global economic and political order established by the West after WWII and dislodge the US as the leader of that order. No one has so blatantly acted against his country’s interests (including the rural poor who make up his base) and gotten away with it. It’s treason.
11
I think the right thing for the G6 (non-US) countries to do is to ignore Trump and his provocations, and put their energy into strengthening themselves and their economic partnership. Trump will continue to destroy US trade links with the rest of the Western economy and alienate former allies (thanks Vladimir P! Well done!) with or without retaliation. Assume the worst and move on. As for the future, maybe the US will elect someone more palatable next time or the time after that. But sooner or later the ugly divisions in the US body politic will re-assert themselves in another version of Trump and we'll repeat this nonsense, because Trump is less an aberration and more a reflection of what the US has become. Why would anyone now trust the word of the US in an international agreement? (And good luck to you Chairman Kim!)
1
Once again, our tone deaf, ill informed bully in chief embarrasses his country and himself on the world stage. Can we continue to watch on the sidelines in disbelief while he communicates by bombastic tweet vs civilized negotiation. The very “base” he purports to serve will be the most damaged if he continues his self important attack on our strongest partners. Negotiations bring fair trade doctrine for all into focus vs. one way demands. We have operated under a continuously stronger global economy since the post WW II era. To bring about a trade war; attempting to bully our closest allies and walking away from the G 7 to court North Korea is his most self indulgent act yet. Congress can act to claw back executive power on setting tariffs. Yet what do we hear? Crickets. 2020 cannot come soon enough. It is time for America (all parties) to wake up and demand a government for all of us before it’s too late.
2
Warning Notice from the G 6 to America. Use of Trump to fix what ales you may be have harmful side effects. Taking a second dose may be fatal.
1
Europe never misses a chance to sledge against the US. They are always jealous of Americans, particularly the French and Germans. UK, should have been on the side of the US. US should remember May's statements when UK comes for a trade deal with the US. No more of Grey Goose and French colognes for me here on. Europeans go quiet when challenging Russian transgression in Europe and Chinese forcing EU companies to hand over technology. It is easy criticizing the US. Regardless of political opinion, an insult to the President is an insult to all Americans. In any case does anyone have a solution for the one sided trade by Europe and China? Do not criticize the first President that is trying to draw these countries to the negotiating table.
The real crime is NAFTA as we let 2 dollar per hour workers assemble American and European cars destined for the US not to neglect TVs, computers and a myriad of other products. If we want to revive our economy why not just annex Mexico and Central America and introduce the same wage laws and offer the same Union right as we have in the US?
If there is anyone or anything that is a threat to America it is Donald J. Trump.
This man has and is showing that he is an enemy of the state by driving away our friends and allies.
He does not care about this country, all that he cares about is himself.
8
"Still, the more immediate source of friction with Mr. Trump is on trade. Efforts to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement have stalled in bitter disagreement."
Because in the final analysis, Trump is a very bitter man.
1
I know it probably will never happen, but I'd love to see someone like Angela Merkel threaten to throw out our military bases.
3
Why should this latest Trump debacle surprise anyone- he is engaged on all fronts in a gleeful race to a dystopian bottom, and concerned only with ego gratification and satisfying his so called base.
1
Well it's not as if he understands what they're talking about. And this will give them time to vote him out of the club.
5
In comments to reporters this morning, the president said he believed Russia should be part of the summit and that it was “unfair” to leave Putin out. WHAT is it with this president and Russia? What leverage does Putin have over him?
Again and again, Trump is willing to alienate our closest allies to cozy up with the dictators and authoritarians of the world. It is astounding.
8
I don't recall in my lifetime of 50+ years this kind of appalling behavior by any US president towards Canada, or our mutual allies as we are witnessing with Trump. It pains me and I'm sure it is paining millions.
Trump is so severely dishonoring and debasing the Office of President of the United States, and the country, that if one looks back through his actions to date they could not more clearly reveal that he's a Russian agent in Putin's service.
Destroying Western democracy and alliances is at the top of Putin's wish list, and Trump is delivering in spades-from his reluctance to affirm Article 5 of the NATO charter last year, to reneging on America's commitments to the Paris climate change accord and all the agreements The Times noted, to his arbitrary and punitive tariffs on Canada, the EU and Mexico.
Particularly insulting is Trump's claim that Canada is a national security threat to the US. This from a man who, as the New Yorker recently reported, refuses to read even a one-page briefing from the National Security Council, instead demanding it "pictorially".
It's terrifying to think that at best, Trump is incompetent, lazy and a mean-spirited narcissistic psychopath and at worst, he's of sound mind and deliberately Putin's wrecking ball of America and Western alliances.
POTUS is no longer the leader of the free world; our allies cannot trust either America's word or friendship. We're all being held hostage to Trump's madness; who will right this sinking ship?
9
How can the USA (and Trump), even euphemistically, be called the "leader of the free world"? Also, how can the photograph of seven leaders of strong, independent democracies be called a "family" picture?
Hello Canada,
On paper he may be referred to as the person who represents the United States, but the reality is he represents himself and his interests, hiding behind the office of the Presidency. The majority of Americans (his so called 40% are NOT the majority) did not vote for him, do not support him, are EMBARRASSED by him, and want him removed ASAP.
1
Donald Trump revels in the discomfort of others, both domesticly and internationally. He doesn’t care one wit for the G-7 or any of our Allies. Just acting like a human tornado, destroying everything in his path, provides him the sense of power he craves. Who needs to be famous when one can be infamous?
Our fathers and forefathers fought and died for the privilege of living in a democracy, and those efforts were the envy of the world for scores of decades. No more. Thanks to Trump, America is becoming a pariah to our friends. I am ashamed to be an American today.
10
The sound of the 1812 Overture. Trump tweets. Putin smiles. The smell of instability in the morning. It is only a matter of time now...
In Europe it will be companies like KFC, McDonalds , Starbucks , Coca Cola and Pepsi, among other consumer brands, that will feel the real heat if this escalates. Peanut butter, Jack Daniels and Harley Davidson's will be tariffed, but small potatoes compared to a boycott of the above companies.
Unhealthy food and products plus noisy motorbikes - we'll be happy to see them gone... and we'll celebrate with a sip of Spanish brandy, French calvados, Italian grappa or German schnaps... what a party!
I was going to suggest that the G-6 let G-1 know that the conference was ending early so they could stay and take the customary group photo without him. No need for that now. Lol....
Ronal Reagan's counterparts did NOT call him a cowboy who wanted to blow up the world in the 1980s when the US installed Pershing and cruise missiles in Europe, as you write.
For one, the missiles were installed in the UK and Germany with the full cooperation of those countries' governments - namely, Mrs. Thatcher and Helmut Kohl, both of whom had a cordial relationship with POTUS. None of the other leaders of the time called RR anything like that.
The left leaning press and punditry in Europe did, of course, but not the leaders. Not by a long shot.
In late 2016, the American nation was given an intelligence test. It failed. America has since turned into a rogue nation.
I grew up in post war Germany, in the so called "American Zone", very close to the iron curtain. We knew we'd get nuked by American warheads should the Soviets every cross the border with tanks, and yet we saw America as a friend.
All of this started to change when Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld went to war and triggered an international catastrophe. It was and still is mind blowing just how single minded, ill informed, self righteous and plain stupid and naive the political side of America acts.
And now Trump.
Sadly though, he is not the problem. Americans are. The people who think, when looking at a political map of the USA, that Alaska is not connected to a landmass and hence must be an island. Those who try to find "abroad" and "overseas" in the index of an atlas. The guys who think the Earth is flat, that volcanic activity in South America is responsible for global warming. Those Americans who are not literate enough to realize that more American soldiers commit suicide after active duty than lose their live in actual combat.
If the world is supposed to model itself after America, and if this is the best America can do, then God help us all.
7
This summit will be a psychodrama, in which Trump reveals his mental and emotional conditions, while world leaders roll their eyes. There will be photos of Trump in sullen isolation.
1
Angela Merkel's call for a new world order is hubristic. She actually said they couldn't rely on old partners after being told she had to contribute more to NATO. What arrogance.
2
Simple process to correct this travesty of stupidity, something the rest of the GOP might understand. Removal of America from the G7, introduce Russia and China into the "Group". As the Greeks did with the Romans, trade creates peace. All military corporation come to a close, ongoing conflicts are America's sole burden, the immediate removal of American bases and personnel from foreign soil. Open bilateral trade agreements with India and other members of the TAA. In summary, close off America's dominance, if Trump believes America can go it alone allow them. The remainder of the world can move forward with renewable resources, clean energy, fair trade, and peaceful boarders. Chine and Russia are not the aggressive horde they are portrayed to be. They are placed in this false light to condone the huge military American existence.
With each passing day the urgency of trump's vindictiveness & reactionary actions increase as his anger & frustration swells over being investigated, criticized, rejected by the free world. Not to be at all sympathetic, but he just knows no better than to act defiantly like a angry child who can't get what he wants. If the GOP in congress had stuck to it's 'never trump' guns, they could have limited his power from the beginning. But they couldn't pass up a chance to get what they wanted, and what now is out of control, while they stay silent, frozen, caught with their pants down as representatives of the white privileged class.
3
If someone wrote a novel featuring a President who wrought such damage to the United States on the world stage - and domestically - in such a short time, it would be ignored as absurd. If, in such a novel, said “leader” did this and retained the support of a substantial minority of the electorate it would be seen as a profound insult to Americans or a warning about the way in which authoritarianism rises and the damage it does. And yet this story is taking place before our eyes. One can see American influence decaying with astonishing speed. If this man is not in the pay of Russia, and quite possibly China, it would be hard to credit their astonishing luck. If this man is genuinely doing his best and thinks he is doing good, he sets a new bar for incompetence and error. One can only assume he thinks “great” is a synonym for “irrelevant” and “hated”; that is what he is making America and Americans. He is not even making them feared. So much carefully and hard won and husbanded global power and emotional-political credit squandered for nothing. So sad.
2
Putin has congratulated Trump for doing Russia's bidding at the expense of the close allies of the United States. We know whose side Trump is on. Years of loaning vast amounts of Russian laundered money to Trump has paid off handsomely for Putin.
1
So, Mr. President, you are bugging out early from the G7. Going to skip all the minor topics like climate change, clean energy and oceans? I know that stuff is pretty much below your radar, but part your job, the one we're paying you the big bucks to do, is to show up at these important conferences, work with our allies, and stay to the end.
If you're afraid of being humiliated in front of a group of smart, knowledgeable leaders, well tough. Try reading a report or two now and then. Get yourself up to speed on climate science and renewable energy. Act like a president for once.
If you can't take the heat, you don't belong in that kitchen. You can dish it out every day of the week on Twitter, so you can take from your counterparts for a couple of days up in Canada. Do your job!
13
Frankly, I have to admit that your B-movie president actor is the most interesting opportunity for Europe to come closer together, to strengthen relations with China and to start over with Russia again.
On the other hand I feel very sorry for the American people who have to pay the price for this foolish politics sooner or later.
5
We will add India and Iran and make the Silk Road great again. Great!!
Soon I can take a bullet train from Budapest to Beijing. 48 hrs, history!
Infrastructure is a good valuation set for nations.
Disgustin' Donald admires dictatorships and despises democracies. We knew that. We have changed from a country that aspires to democratic values (freedom, justice, equality, etc.) to one wherein "Might Makes Right!". I just wish there were some way we could let our allies know that a great many people in this country feel as if we are being held hostage by this thuggish bully. The embarrassment of being represented by him in the world forum is almost overwhelming.
1
No collusion? This disruptive and hostile behavior against our long time allies is exactly what Russia wants. Every day brings a new assault on American and western values.
1
Trump lives inside an isolation bubble of his own ego. He cannot see the world outside as a meaningful array of concerns. If it does not feed his ego, it does not matter or even exist. He has set himself up to be flattered and schmoozed by North Korea and will not be able to use any skills (if he has them) to counteract the sweetness and smarm from Kim. He will hand Kim the keys to the US Treasury and US military and never realize he gave away the whole world to a petty dictator.
2
mr kudlow is an erratic bingo-caller with no training in economics.
how apt.
3
Stand tall G-6, our bully-in-chief is far more comfortable in the company of dictators than leaders of democratically elected countries who used to be our allies, hence his early exit. Here in the US, we have critical elections in the fall. Since trump is determined not to stop Russian interference in our elections on his behalf, perhaps your intelligence agencies can help the resistance, the more the merrier!
Nice touch, trump staying for women's empowerment meeting, perhaps in deference to empress Melania and Ivanka Antoinette, but probably to appeal to some clueless voters who think he supports women's issues.
It would be great if large numbers of Americans chose Canada for vacation this year! Please remember Canadians, many of us despise him too.
5
Why bother show up at all - when your opinions and views re your allies are tweeted practically on a daily ranting base?
Everybody is fully aware Putin's Puppet only has one agenda.
This 'leader' of the latest addition to Putin's empire should be left to kowtow with his chums: China, Russia, N-Korea.
His government + GOP have turned the USA into a full-blown travesty of democracy.
3
What will our allies say and do when America inevitably needs their help?
Trudeau, Macron and Merkel are screaming bloody murder, why you ask.....
Simple, their economy has flourished under the support from the U S taxpayers. Once they lose that, those whopping surpluses that are charged against the U S taxpayers, they will have to start governing and managing their own economies based on their leadership.
We'll then see how good of a leader they are.
Time for them to grow up and learn how to control their liberal free societies.
5
...And to add insult to injury, Trump is inviting Russia back into the G7 after it was booted from it 4 years ago after annexing Crimea. Putin and Kim Jun are the only friends Trump has left the world in the world. What a sad world we've become. it will take a generation or two to recover from the damage this President has inflicted upon the USA.
5
Not President. Resident. Is it possible that 45 makes Dick Cheney look good? At least Cheney knew who our allies were and who our enemies were.
What you must understand is that Trump is setting political IEDs that will be exploding for decades after he is and his regime are gone from office.
Dark ages coming!
For the first time in my life, I am totally ashamed of the president.
3
Obama's approach using cosmopolitan globalism may have been good for Canada and Europe, but it didn't work for the United States. Come the end of the day it's all about healthy economies and what it takes to get them. The problem is that the G-6 was using the US economy to enhance theirs. In moderation that's not necessarily a bad thing, but when you've been warned that it's getting out of hand and you don't pull back you suffer the consequences.
There was an interesting debate on French TV yesterday about Trump and the G7, where the panelists came to the conclusion that Europe has a weak hand in trade negotiations. It’s the two D’s as in Donald. The Europeans cannot work around the Dollar in trade and international business and they cannot rely on themselves for their Defense. They may show a unified front for this occasion, but the overall situation will not change any time soon.
Name the strong European leader attending this G7 meeting? May? Enjoys a super slim majority, struggles to disentangle her country from the EU. Merkel? Lost most of her credibility, she is now on her last voyage, trying to pass the baton to Macron. Conte is only in his first week as Prime Minister of Italy. Finally, Macron is doing his best to juggle numerous reforms, dealing with strikes and terrorist attacks, sometimes borrowing from Trump’s playbook, also enjoying Trumpian approval ratings.
Macron may be best friend with Trudeau, but on matters of trade there is little Trudeau can teach him. Think China and India. And Trudeau is not having a good year (Kinder Morgan pipeline, Doug Ford’s victory yesterday in Ontario).
That leaves Abe of Japan who already had his bilateral with Trump yesterday and knows that he needs him.
1
Everyone is so shocked that Trump is making tariff threats? He’s keeping his campaign promises. What did you expect? That he would try to please Democrats and Europe? We hear all this pious posturing about the great nations of Europe and their wonderful democratic institutions. What does that have to do with their151 billion dollar trade surplus with us and their unfair trading and protectionist policies? We should we just let it continue?
Someone wrote -" the 1% in USA control so and so much of the worlds economy, what if the "world" cried foul and wanted there wealth back!?" A typical Trump way of arguing:-)
So now we see how the "great Businessman" will improve trade relations between the U.S. and its allies. Or maybe we will see how a petulant child may or may not manipulate the adults in the conference room to get his way. Eventually most Americans will see whether electing Trump in 2016 has made America a better place for All Americans or just a laughing stock for the rest of the world. Eventually there will be agreement that the Emperor really does not have any new clothes. He can fool some of the people most of the time, but he can't fool all of the people all of the time. Trump's time is drawing near.
1
There's something in his pathology that makes him happy only when he's in conflict with people and organizations. He doesn't get along with anyone, and he stirs up conflicts just to feel better. I suspect he's been that way for a long time.
5
So President Macron after a bitter telephone call with President Trump explaining the repercussions of US trade sanctions against former allies referring to sausages as to the content of their toxic conversation. "Better not to know what's inside otherwise you would never eat sausages again" goes the quote originally from Otto von Bismark. At this stage we will be eating plenty of sausages and wurst as deserts. China wrote the book on the art of war but the US leader has no time to read history to realize how the USA became a superpower (like Rome) that it is today...with a little bit of help from my friends to quote St.Peppers lonely hearts club band.
2
Maybe the G-6 should kick out the US, and we'll see how Trump deals with total isolation. Especially, when the 1% investors can no longer add to their greedy riches. Then again, maybe Trump will form a new autocrat alliance with North Korea, China, Russia and Turkey.
3
Why would trump and his gang want to bring supply chains back to the USA? The economy is booming so it can't be just job creation. Not depending on other countries would serve what interests?
Wouldn't this serve one major goal of this man which is to use "his" nuclear instruments for an aggressive military stance with a major commercial competitor and political irritant in the middle east?
1
Canada and the EU will consider opening their agricultural/dairy markets only when the US ceases pumping ~25 billion USD of government subsidies annually into its agricultural sector.
Fair trade works both ways. It is a pity Trump and his supporters do not recognise this fact.
3
In the first term of George W. Bush, Europeans were asking me "what is wrong with him?" In Bush's second term, they asked "what is wrong with America?"
Now they'll go straight to question #2. Meanwhile, China's leadership is enjoying every moment of this. Post-Trump, when we finally default on our national debt, they will be a superpower.
7
Let them ask away. I often asked that question, myself, during Obama's "globalist" reign. Never felt it was truly best for the United States and believed it was a fabricated view of the world, more for their egos than anything else. We are, after all, in a highly competitive global market. Declaring "one world" changes nothing.
Pivot to Asia, TPP, and south china sea to contain China. And China countered with one belt one road, AIIB, and the delayed launch of petro yuan right after the start of trade war.
the beltway establishment didn't know how to deal with the unraveling of the American empire, aside from war.
AACNY, global economic competition is one thing. Can you cite a time when this level of isolationism helped our economy? Ever?
Promises kept.
The others are angry because President Trump is working on reversing a generation of trade deficits that would have only ended with the immiseration of the citizens of the United States.
Trade for products made: with cheap Chineses labor; with child labor; without the costs of environmental controls; or from stolen intellectual property; have never been good for the working man in our country.
The wealthy want everything cheap -- at the expense of fellow our citizens, just as they want cheap labor through unlimited immigration. All in the guise of being nice.
No more Mr. Nice Guy, and Trump is just the one for that role.
5
And Trump is one of those wealthy who wants everything on the cheap. Just look at the Chinese products he tried to foist as luxury goods. You’ve been played.
3
Couldn't agree more. No more Mr. Globalist, either. With their new "world order" comes responsibility -- and hefty expenses. Let's see if they're really willing to put their money where their mouths are or are just doing their usual "globalist" dance, which is really just an ephemeral state that they've created.
1
This would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.
Where do you think Trump family products are made?
Trump will leave the G-7-1 before the sessions on climate change, clean energy and oceans. At the same time, the EPA is sidestepping laws that protect our air and ground water from toxic chemicals to please his friends in the chemical industry. It is hard to focus on one atrocity at a time! I am beginning to think of it as a strategy.
8
Allies will show him today that Trump need not have bothered to come. Once Trump gets us into another war lets see who signs up to support him.
6
The other G6 leaders are confronting Trump publicly because they, like North Korea's Kim, can clearly see how weak politically he is right now. From Canada's point of view, 35 states have Canada as their number one export market. Canada will target those states with tariffs designed to exert maximum a negative impact on Congressional seats that could tip to the Democrats.
The Canadian counter-punching tariffs will kick in July 1. The US will retaliate and Canada will bring in more tariffs for August 1. Jobs in those 35 states are all up for grabs and all summer long, people who are going to lose, or might lose, their jobs will be talking to their families and friends about Trump's trade war and how it's costing their jobs. That's going to be the topic of summer BBQs: people losing their jobs because of the Republican president.
If Trudeau doesn't blink, Trump will. Why? Because Trump is a weak bully and bullies always fold when confronted with someone who stands up to them. The EU is a far big trader on the world scene than the US and therefore must fight harder for what is right. Trump will fold and if he doesn't, the GOP will find a way to make him fold.
11
20 other Republican presidential hopefuls and Hillary Clinton really made Trump blink.
1
Dear RIWDC:
No, in case you haven't noticed, Trump blinks constantly.
If you observe him a second before he's about to speak, it's easy to detect this vacuous vacant millisecond pause in his speech pattern.
Having known him up close and personal, that blatant tic/blink of his occurs because, no matter the subject, even business, Trump does not have a clue what he's about to say. He has no choice but to make it up on the spot because he cannot hold a thought in his head but for a brief time.
It doesn't take a psychiatrist to see how utterly uninformed he is. When you're in a room with him, you see this question mark appear metaphorically on his forehead and a blank stare form in his eyes. Hemming and hawing is a profound neurological tic he's had most of his adult life. The reason he's never needed or wanted to correct it is because he's never had to. No one has taken this baby to the woodshed, and that's pathetic.
As president, he's now more arrogant than ever. If you've convinced a basket of sixty million deplorable ignoramuses to vote for you, despite your vast ignorance, wouldn't your get a boost? So imagine someone like Trump, handicapped by an inability and compunction to read, and thus to comprehend let alone master the most basic topic. Trump's always been an accident waiting to happen. His track record proves it. His presidency will not be exempt from this tic. Just wait and see.
DD
Manhattan
The reason he will blink is that if the GOP loses the house due economic job uncertainty in key house seats, the Dems will take over and hold hearings, very public hearings, in which his associates and family like Jared and Jr, Ivanka, Cohen, get to talk on TV about family business dealings and self dealing, the emolument law they have flouted, what really happened in that Russian meeting and other key aspects.
They may have to plead the 5th on live TV. Any obstruction of justice or lying to Congress will be referred to the DoJ for indictments. He must keep the house in GOP hands.
But, regardless of how the November elections turn out, the Mueller probe continues its relentless accumulation of criminal infractions.
I am beyond disgusted by Mr. Trump's treatment of long time allies and proven friends, particularly Canada. As Mr. Trump coos over dictators Putin, Xi and Duterte, let's remember that our allies have stood with us through 9/11 and many other challenges. Let's remember that it was Canada's ambassador to Iran who hid our diplomats and helped them escape when Iran stormed our embassy, and it was Canada that took in thousands of air passengers when US skies closed after 9/11. But, apparently, Mr. Trump is unaware.
21
Simply dismal. I hope the two young lads from Canada and France will succeed in isolating Trump and show once and for all that Europe and the rest of the world can manage without the USA for the next 2 years. Trump does not want to consider or rather does not approve of the fact that American policies have since the war largely contributed to the inevitable creation of a multipolar interdependent world based on free trade. It is true that some people are loosing the battle in this economic environment, but the same phenomenon exists in Europe.
Is the White House aware of some positive aspects on what has been going on in the last 65 years? Africa has a 6% growth rate, India and China are leaving behind decades of poverty and inept isolation, poverty at large is diminishing throughout the world. It is largely the result of free trade. Fighting poverty is helping providing a safer world, strange as it may sound nowadays.
The present Government and some members of Congress do not seem to realize that the idealized America of the 50's and 60's is forever gone. Isolation will not help the angry people of America and Europe. Is not Brexit starting to be a real problem for Great Britain?
To summarize, we all know that "let us make America great again" is not the problem, but "let us make the Planet great again" is what the G7 should deal with. Easy to say...
3
In just the same way as a truculent teenager might have his privileges withdrawn and be prevented from going out with his friends for behaving inappropriately, I suspect that the remaining 6, adult 'G6-ers' may consider a more focused trade battle with Mr T's followers.
Angry voices, rational argument and scowling faces are lost on him.
Undermining the economics of his ego-boosting crowd would cool their ardor for him and might just be the kind of kick in the pants he needs and the only thing he will respond to.
5
The purpose of the G7 is to discuss shared concerns on complicated subjects. Trump implies that no country has anything of use to say to him and when Macron and Trudeau tried to suggest that other countries matter, Trump has become aggressive.
His lies about the details of various trade issues is infuriating. Just one example is Canada's much smaller dairy industry faces the USA's 5 to 1 advantage and still he says he wants to wipe out Canada's dairy farmers. It's just disgusting. Canada knows very well she is a smaller country population wise and must work very hard to compete. It's hard to accept that the US president and many, many Americans hold us in such contempt. We are just trying to "Be Best" Canadians we can be.
One more thing, when New Orleans flooded, Canadian RCMP, on horses arrived before some American reservists.
Canada increased oil exports as requested by the IEA to help stabilize the world market in the wake of the crisis and its impact on North American oil production and refining capacity.
On September 2 Air Canada participated along with U.S. member airlines of the Air Transport Association, in a voluntary airline industry initiative to support rescue and relief operations. Air Canada was the first foreign carrier to land in New Orleans delivering water and supplies and lifting victims to safety.(Wikipedia)
The message that we take advantage of such a huge country and never help is beyond insulting.
24
Ditching your friends to go hang out with the crazy boy in Singapore? Giving him a face to face meeting without any concessions required yet imposing tariffs on your allies? Reneging on the international agreement with Iran? Ditching the Paris Climate Change Agreement so you can pollute freely? The problem with the America First game is that it is only won once and at a high price.
17
The “President” ignites a trade war with our democratic allies, attacks his own law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and continues to heap praise upon hostile foreign dictators.
Who benefits from all this, I wonder?
6
There is an old adage of "follow the money".
Ask yourself who benefits from Trump's irrational decisions and strange behavior? Answer that question to understand. We elected a Manchurian Candidate.
9
Europe is so wonderful. They brought us two world wars and gas chambers. Then then brought in migrant workers from the Middle East and housed them in remote ghettos far removed from the centers of their cities and with no chance for advancement. Is that supposed to be an economic and social model which we should follow? Now they are throwing their weight around and threatening a G-6 announcement excluding us because they are not happy with Trump’s tariff threats. Well, too bad them. Should we just allow them to keep adding to their 151 billion dollar trade surplus? They’ll come along eventually anyway and knuckle under to Trump because he’s showing them who’s boss.
4
Of all the people I've heard speak about Trump, one of the most interesting was a man from the Czech Republic who told me that most Europeans see Trump as a performer, a stage actor. There is a lot of truth to that; Trump loves being the center of attention at all times and will do or say almost anything to that end. That is why you can never be sure what he will do next. These are sociopathic tendencies and people like him should never be given real power. Too late now.
10
Reality check are world leaders should be more concern what they done to the planet earth with there free trade disaster.So far all in total denial none of which can live with in there own means . What happen to leave this world better place then what we received .
1
I believe he will use this to provide one off relief to individuals and companies he likes - acting more like a king dispensing favors than a president.
3
So, the tough guy is leaving very early on Saturday.
Figures.
I am sure he wants to fight his battles on Twitter, where it's safe.
7
The only challenge with respect to Russia is how high Trump is meant to jump when Putin tells him to.
4
Even if I loved everything Trump does, I despise him as a person. His manner, the way he demeans people, his infantile language -- absolutely nothing he does inspires. His leadership (if you can call it that) is driving a wedge deeper and deeper into the heart of Americans. The post WWII country I was so proud of has been trashed and sadly the one I live in now is an unrecognizable embarrassment. It goes without saying that nothing stays the same forever, but the absence of intelligent thinking and the lack of decency are palpable. Trump's whole show is a truly sad descent into an abyss we may never be able to recover from.
12
If I can’t have it my way, I’m not going to play. I’m going home.
8
If I were on the jury.
If the trial had just ended.
If trump and the elected officials who have supported him, or who have done nothing to stop him from destroying our nation, had just been found guilty of treason.
If I were the foreperson.
If the jury’d been told that the penalty was either death or life imprisonment (up to the judge).
I would easily, and with great civic pride, vote GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS.
3
Only our best allies in the world, who fought with us in WWII, and Germany is on our side after all that contention. Good people.
As our Nazi-fond President courts dictators. This guy is so ignorant of any history, and thinks he really can conduct the US as a dictator or monarch.
That isn't how the United States works, Trump.
33
RE: our best allies in the world, who fought with us in WWII,
They did not fight with us. We saved them in their fight.
1
We miss several crucial points about trade relations with our allies when we simplify the issues to rules like “tariffs must be equal all around” or “there must import/export parity in all areas of trade.” Foremost is the value of decades of peace and comity with our allies, which we damage at our peril. The US became a superpower precisely because we have been able to maintain peaceful relations abroad. Second is the sheer size of the US economy, which gives us outsized influence over global markets. Trump’s bullying, zero-sum instincts are leading us to abuse that power, again at our peril. Third is the fact that imports and exports simply cannot be equal across all sectors. We import more in some sectors, and export more in others. It is important to see the bigger picture, rather than focus on individual sectors in isolation. Finally, bringing us back to my first point, Trump’s pursuit of separable bilateral agreements rather than multilateral agreements divides our allies, pits nation against nation, is unmanageably complex, and makes truly fair global trade less likely to achieve.
14
It is vital to realize how completely clued out trump is.
Using selective "alt-fact", he will only talk about balance of trade for the current account on some goods ALONE; he refuses to even mention the balance of trade for the current account on modern services; or the capital accounts ledger of the huge foreign investments made by the US in other counties compared to those made by other nations in the US; or the remittances between nations made by their emigrants; or the central bank holdings of foreign currencies in and out of the US.
When all these financial activities are included in a free market economy whose currency floats, it is impossible for two such countries who exclusively trade together to rip each other off -- the exchange rate floats to produce a balance.
Nowadays productivity is based on capital investment, automation, new knowledge, division of labour by comparative advantage. Far less important in this new century, the number of industrial workers are declining everywhere and can never be large again --- think of how many farmers were vital in the 18th century (even while people went hungry). Making buggy whips is no longer a viable occupation.
It is the NON-free-market economies (developing China, India, Russia, etc) that create the apparent "unfair trade deficits in goods". Attacking democratic free market countries based on differences in some goods alone not only misses the bull's eye but misses the dart board entirely.
22
Remember, the IMF notes that the United States is only 13.7% of the world's economy.
Someone clue the Republicans in on that.
16
Our current President acts like Putin's vassal, but declares economic war on our closest allies. This isn't going to end well.
24
After listening to Larry Kudlow for the last twenty years on CNBC preach the opposite of what he is saying now, it is a little hard to take. If he had an ounce of self respect, he would resign.
13
The scary part is that Trump is leaving straight for Singapore after the G7. Can't imagine how well that "summit" will go with a jet lagged President in a bad mood.
11
This is the end of an American world order that Presidents of both parties worked to build for 70 years. We will be able to repair some of the damage Mr. Trump has done, but not this. America is no longer the leader of the Western world. It's now a rogue nation, led by an impulsive, angry six-year-old. Our former allies will find their own way. China will become the world's hegemon; Russia the dominant power in Europe. Mr. Trump has transformed Republican foreign policy, just as he has transformed Republican everything else.
19
There must be something wrong in Trump's head because at the slightest hint of criticism or what he perceives to be unfair treatment of himself he attacks. He attacks friends, allies, institutions, ideas, most of the media, and so it goes on. Ultimately, and thankfully, he is here today and gone tomorrow. Contrary to a promise made in his dystopian inauguration speech, he is not going to unite the people of the US. His whole tenure depends on maintaining, and even provoking, greater division within the US.
22
The 17th century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes had a simple rule when it came to politics: who benefits? So who benefits when the US deliberately subverts the economic and security arrangements put in place by the western alliance after the second world war? Who benefits when the US snubs its nose at its closest allies? Do we really need any more proof of collusion to believe that Trump is in Putin's pocket?
23
"the estranged sibling" He's not the usual kid, the one who whines if occasionally a well-mannered brother gets a slightly bigger piece of cake. He's the kid who rages if a sibling gets any at all! In a family of means he'd be sent to eat in the kitchen were it not that the staff would quit. Military school perhaps - along with a generous endowment to fund the early retirement of the faculty.
"Richie Rich" had it all, all that is except friends (and happiness).
3
When President Trump arrives in Quebec for the so-called "G-7" meeting, the other leaders will cower before him. I look forward to it. I support the President. I support Trump. He has triumphed. Thank you.
3
People “cower” before despots. They don’t cower before true leaders who value the rule of law. If that is what you and other Trump supporters value, how tragic.
7
Yes, many will respect him despite his not being in the "globalist" club. We are hearing a lot of sour grapes complaining.
1
When they don’t cower we will have more media stress as he tweets bad names & how he was abused & mistreated. Sad for America...healthcare is going crazy trying to treat increase in PTSD (post trump stress disorder) & he’s not gone yet.
1
No where in this article are any facts presented as to whether the current tariffs and regulations imposed by our allies on the US are skewed in their favor, facts that would back Trump’s stance. Instead the article talks only about the relationships of the nations to each other, frosty as one “veteran trade negotiator” said. If the US has in fact been used and abused to make these trade deals work, then Trump is right to object and take action. I am glad the relationship is a bit frosty. And so is the American worker.
3
Apparently we're now assisting China in its penetration of US high tech by giving breaks to ZTE but creating trade wars with our closest allies and neighbors. And what does the Republican party do?
12
A billion dollar fine is a break?
And yet his approval rating goes up. Trump is not the only problem in the USA. Our electorate has a serious problem with interpreting the blatant signs of insecure demagoguery.
12
"International multilateral organizations are not going to determine American policy. I think the president has made that very clear."
Well, that is like a citizen saying, "I don't care about federal laws. They won't constrain me in my sovereign decisions."
If you choose to be part of a community, you have to adhere to the statutes set by it. Apparently, the United States under Donald J. Trump has no intention to be part of the international community.
9
The USA have always made me dream since I was a child, I can not imagine that this man represents this great nation, it is impossible. I hope it represents only a tiny part of the USA
15
He represents between one-half and two-thirds of the electorate in the USA, depending on your preferred pollster.
May I respectfully suggest, France has a massive problem on it's own doorstep, maybe your criticism would be better directed there.
Trump don't care what you think. Sorry.
1
He certainly does NOT represent me.
And, therein lies the problem greg. Elaine believes she represents the majority (come election day), while the rest of us, know we are that majority.
Oh! and, we've got guns.
Watch who you put your money on Mr. France, it might just be the wrong horse.
Painful to observe the Macron learning curve over the last 12 months. It's not like the rest of the civilized world didn't telegraph fully the results of trying to get close to Trump.
3
Getting tired of all this theorizing about economics. What I do know is that the Clinton presidency began a long period of general prosperity, the W came along and spent a trillion dollars on an undeclared war and the economy tanked and that Obama came along and we started gradually recovering. Time will tell.
8
China represents approximately 4% of USA steel imports, whereas Canada and the EU represent 18% and 21% respectively. The tariffs on steel and aluminum, while being perceived as a punishment, seem calculated to rebuild American steel and aluminum industries at the cost of alienating our closest trading allies. Ask yourself why: preparing for war, perhaps, with countries that are being overrun by large numbers of non-Western immigrants?
Remember that one half billion dollars in Chinese government loans to the Malaysian related Trump project? Then, remember Trump's commitment to save all those Chinese ZTE jobs by realigning sanctions against the company who is a danger to our national security? Now, we have all theses non sensical contrived tariffs on our allies in Canada, Mexico and Europe to even things out for the Chinese? Do you suppose China is upset by all of this? The bottom line is that Donald Trump is sacrificing the U.S. economy for his personal financial gain again. Our president at work, for himself.
7
Let us address the ugly fact of self-interest
1) Is it a fact that there is a 50 billion trade imbalance between the US and the EU?
2) Are the countries who protest most about Trump not
proceeding with the Iranian deal, heavily involved in massive trade deals with Iran? thereby perpetuating the life span of that theocracy, rather than making efforts to liberate the people of Iran and their enormous potential.
If the above are facts, what is cynical, is not to observe them.
2
Trump is dealing with that reality, while his critics focus on seeing him get knocked down a peg. Who is acting in our best interest? Not hard to figure that one out.
Good thing then that they are not facts.
You want to liberate them so they can elect someone like trump? He is shooting at becoming USA’s first & bestest dictator. Keep the US out of these countries. Don’t wish us on them!
Trump does not want to hear critical comments, so he is leaving for a high profile photo-op with Kim. That is the heart of this move--change the subject and stay in the public eye. Of course, the US reputation suffers, but the Trump voters feel good.
9
Trump believes he does not need western allies to advance his personal and family interests, nor feed his base and he is correct. In addition he despises those nations that have decided to spend their treasure taking care of their own instead of pursuing foreign wars as a means of employing millions directly and indirectly. Those despised western nations have figured out how to provide education and health care for all who want them. I reject the argument that they could do so because the US was "guarding the world" for the past 5 decades. The many wars and trillions spent to prop up oil despots has been payback to GOP donors, not a benefit to the American people. I despair when I see the destruction of the social contract already underway in Oklahoma (school week shortened) and the rotting of infrastructure while we spend billions more overseas. The people in small town America could be building their nation, not destroying another's.
8
Americans may feel somewhat perturbed by their President refusing to attend G7 meetings on subjects like climate change or the looming international trade war. Amazing Canada given the brush-off by Donald Trump probably making the Russians wonder if the West in total disarray? However Americans should note that Britain also includes politicians floundering badly unable to find a safe passage out of European Union before the due date of March 2019. HM Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson requesting Donald Trump to negotiate on behalf of Britain on BREXIT because he has no faith in PM "maybe" May. GUARDIAN imploring Europeans to be extra nice to American visitors this summer to show our basic understanding. Europeans now know US and Britain living in a world of myths and legends due to a lack of imagination by their appointed steering committees with no moral compass?
3
Divide and rule. Trump seems to have forgotten this historical truth; he should read Machiavel. And even assuming he is right about China "unfair, unfair, unfair" practices, he should have enlisted those friends and allies in containng China.
But Trump does not want to win. He wants to fight.
So the more ennemies he makes, the happier he is.
5
Macron and his allies show their true colors.
The reality that the decades long appeasement of the USA on trade is over,
is shocking to the world which has taken advantage of the USA weakness.
Just as the decades long subsidy of NATO has been exposed, so too, these
unfair trade practices and barriers.
Being an outlier in the world community can be a good thing when what you stand for is honorable and well intended. Neither can be said for Trump and in turn the American government.
8
He is not just isolated from the family of nations, he is, more importantly, isolated from the overwhelming majority of the American people. We want him gone. This was overwhelmingly clear November 4, 2016. If he is not irreversibly isolated from disrupting our democracy this November, I doubt the union will withstand the assault.
6
Please do not speak for "we" when you don't. Your feelings about Trump are not shared by all Americans.
Does anyone disagree with President Trump's statements of the inequities of the current trade situation?
1
Yes, I and many other people disagree with the inequities in the balance of trade argument for the tariffs. The whole idea of free trade is just that, free trade. As long as your country can make or grow something and import it into another country and have a market for it, that needs to be okay. The exceptions are those situations where the government of the importing country is substantially subsidizing the industry of the product being exported.
Protectionism is just another form of government subsidy to industries that the consumer gets to underwrite. If you want to see the currently booming economy come to a staggering halt, just watch. You are advocating for a protectionist world where there will be no trade at all or at least no trade with the U.S.
It is called being isolationism and we are hurdling towards it.
4
Yes, economists and others who understand international trade disagree. Not hard to find informed opinions on the topic.
1
He has not presented a single shred of fact to support his delusions. We had a trade surplus with Canada. To label our closest ally as a security threat was stupid and an insult to Canada.
a negotiation with trump involves 3 things. praise trump, give trump money, put trumps name on something that he will say is the biggest, best or first.
13
Our allies have my deepest sympathy. I'd rather go to the dentist than spend time with Trump.
8
And that’s a dentist who doesn’t use happy gas.
Strategically, the 6 must not engage in tit-for-tat else they will only see minor escalations merge into a completely untenable result. The move now is for them to launch a large, comprehensive trade war in an effort to influence congress and the November elections. In essence they need to ask, are we allies or not?
8
Isn’t that what the president thinks he is doing?
Mr. Trump is going to make things very easy for the next Democratic President to excel in the eyes of not only our country but the eyes of other world leaders. He doesn't seem to grasp the impact his actions are going to have on the US and world economy. It wouldn't surprise me to see the world leaders do everything in their power to ensure a Democratic President in the next election.
8
And you don’t seem to grasp the concept of fair trade.
Mr. Trump's fans must be beside themselves with joy. They seem to think that this go-it-alone-ism is equivalent to strength. They seem to thrill on having their guy poke all the adults of the world in the eye - never mind the policy or consequences, in their minds this means that he/"we" are "strong." Trump himself lately has been equating our growing alienation from the rest of the world with respect claiming, "America is respected again." How very misguided!
43
He will start mass hysteria in tweets at any time. He may not even make it to Singapore, he may throw a tantrum on plane & be sent back to US. Question: is there some way to refuse landing permission to AFOne? Maybe immigration question or smuggling?
Ignore him.
Like he doesn’t exist
Hard you say?
The sooner you start.......
1
Trump sees diplomacy as weak and will treat people who try it on him correspondingly. This was the initial mistake made by EU leaders, Canada and other allies. The tougher language used by Macron this time around, as well as retaliatory trade tariffs imposed by the EU, suggests that they have understood this message.
Only two things work with Trump: Shady deals (e.g. Qatari buying Trump property) and overt confrontation. Countries with a Rule of Law can only opt for the second.
28
President Trump's anticipated early departure from the G-7 meeting is consistent with a life-long pattern of cowardice....run from military service, run from business obligations, run from trade and security agreements, run from the mess he has made of relations with other leaders who form the rest of the G-7. Rather than mobilizing leaders of other major countries to support a common posture vis-a-vis China or Russia he goes out of his way to distance himself from them, undermining our security in the process. Indeed what is striking is the extent to which he aligns himself with the interests of our adversaries. There was a time when I hoped that Trump's ignorance of diplomacy and policy could to some extent be offset by the demands of bureaucratic process and the combined weight of expertise and civil service professionalism. After watching the systematic and intentional dismantling of networks of experience I no longer believe this. Instead I see the president maliciously wrecking alliances and capacities in ways that serve the interests of Russia and China. How else can we explain the president complaining about China's behavior in international trade responding by placing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, then easing sanctions on a Chinese firm violating US trade restrictions? The president kicks Canada and Mexico while bending to our adversaries.....does it matter whether he does so as a compromised national leader or a cowardly despot? We lose.
76
I agree that the President is not a very nice person but I could not agree more with the majority of his policies. It is about time a President put the interests of the United States above those of the "international community".
This American is tired of seeing American interests and national goals take second place to a world community that resents our country and has taken advantage of our high ideals.
"that resents our country and has taken advantage of our high ideals"
What are those " high ideals".
High ideals? The ideals Trumps possesses like racism, misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia, etc? The need to take insurance away from our most vulnerable people? Destroying our environment? Enriching the 1% I am sure that Europe and Canada are not envious of the current state of affairs in the US.
It has been observed that Trump is incapable of understanding how international relations work, or any kind of relations for that matter.
For Trump, 'deals' can only work one way: someone wins and someone loses. If he's not ripping someone off in a deal, they must be ripping him off. He's just not able to comprehend the idea of mutual benefit.
There are no allies in Trump world - only suckers and losers.
72
If Mr. Trump had stayed awake in economics class, he would know the more fluid trade is, the better off all parties are. If it is cheaper to make aluminum in Canada and milk in the US, we should be able to find a Pareto optimality.
Unfortunately, his ignorance and temperament will not work for our country or the world's benefit.
42
Perhaps you missed the class on trade deficits. The US has shouldered a substantial amount of cost for our allies.
Revisiting the equation is well worth the effort.
I don’t know why people think he’s ignorant. His wrecking everything is all part of the plan
It's not right to say Trump is an aberration.
As Ravenna pointed out in comments far below, the U.S. reelected George Bush II even after a disastrous war in Iraq. The U.S. also elected Ronald Reagan twice.
33
Yes, voters have short-term memory.
No, he is an aberration. It’s the voting public that haven’t changed
Correction: only the non voting public remains the same
Interestingly America First is quickly becoming America Alone.
32
So let’s get this straight
1. Dictator who threatens US w nukes is gracious
2. Chinese Company that threatened us from a security standpoint and took our jobs needs to be saved
3. Russia did no wrong
BUT
1. Allies who fought with us are unfair trading partners
2. They also are our national security concern!
3. Our national values = trump values (me! me! Corruption what is that)
Republicans u own this. Party first ... country ...what country!
87
Remember past US Presidents that smiled, had hobbies, led coherent policies and gave speeches? I believe we had 44. Sometimes they had some problems; some got impeached.
Look how far we've fallen. This President is so awful the previous 44 are basically irrelevant.
I mean, he doesn't even read. I've never seen him read. But he must, right? Simple questions like that remain terrifingly unanswered.
39
Trump don't need no stinkin' allies. Trump's got his ego, which tells him without pause or doubt that he's the greatest. We and our USA are on our own.
30
Trump doesn't seem to understand that it isn't up to him whether he attends the G7. As President he is expected to represent the US at such meetings. If he doesn't feel up to the job of saying face to face what he tells other leaders through Twitter he should resign and give the job to that other stiff Pence.
25
He is leaving the summit early to go be with people who understand him, like the north Korean dictator.
42
Since his pal Putin will not be there, he may leave early.
The G7 leaders are too educated and too polished to treat Trump the way he has been treating them. But there is always hope that they can band together and bring him down a few notches.
29
The Chinese have this saying: "may you live in interesting times." It's not so much a fond wish as a curse. It is most aptly applies US.
Americans are living in historical times. We are being led around by the nose by a very troubled man. No one of sound mind would choose him as their leader since he encapsulates a myriad of peculiar idiosyncratic tics and traits to that of a petulant spoiled child. From day to day, hour by hour, no one is shocked anymore by what utterly ridiculous thought bubble will blossom in his head, and then, poof, within seconds, come blurting out of his pie-hole or be twittered away.
When it comes to the current crop of world leaders Trump stands alone, head and shoulders above the rest. He's a lover of height, big hands, stamina and absolute power so he sees nothing wrong with himself. He lacks a self-assessing critical barometer to measure any imperfections. He cannot detect one. He sees the perfect specimen of Man. His incapacity for self-awareness is naught. Trump's mind would give a sieve a run for its money.
Yet there he sits, at the top of the Uriah Heap, leader of the most powerful nation in history. And how will history view him? Unlike Churchill, who predicted history would view him fondly for he would be writing that history, Trump will not have that good fortune. The semi-literate one will have to rely on historians. Let US pray Trump lives long enough to have someone read that history to him.
DD
Manhattan
22
IMHO
Trump cannot make a deal for toilet paper for his own throne. His idea of making a deal, is to declare bankruptcy (5 times, I believe) and not pay the employees or small contractors he owes. We are not talking negotiating a lower price after the work is completed,,, even that is despicable, no,,, we are talking declare bankruptcy,, pay the contractors nothing,, and then list the amount not paid as his loss and then not paying taxes for 20 years.
You wonder where his wealth came from? It came on the backs of every employee and contractor not paid for their work. Cheating 10,000 or 100,000 people can net you a tidy profit. That is how he made his money.
The same tactics will not work with the G-6,, nor Mexico.
His bag of wind may well get popped.
36
You are exactly right. He’s made a mess of every business relationship he’s had and botched every personal relationship he’s had, so of course he’s razing our carefully cultivated international relationships. Who could have expected a different outcome?
4
I like the comment can’t make deal for toilet paper. Made me think of the Museum who refused to let him “borrow” priceless painting for East Wing but offered him a USED gold toilet. He couldn’t even sell a used mattress to EPA guy.
I wake up to some vile abomination spewing forth from the President’s mouth every morning. I am witnessing an internal, intentional destruction of our country. The media pundits express surprise and ruminate on and on about the hows and whys. I am media fatigued. And now I feel like I’m descending into conspiratorial madness. The president is too dumb and illiterate to conjure up such relentless abominations. It must be the Russians conquering our country without firing a single shot.
31
He's an utter embarrassment and danger to the U.S, humanity, and posterity.
18
Lighten up. The World's Superpower makes the rules. We should demand more not less. Trump is right.
2
We are no longer the Worlds super power, though. That would be China. It would behoove Trump to, for once, be quiet and listen.
2
The world's superpower makes the rules? Really? Does anyone other than Trump followers believe that? Is that what makes Trump attractive to his base? We delude ourselves and insult and bully our allies by imagining the US entitled to dictate to other countries? If this was the case, why has the US negotiated and signed numerous international treaties and agreements? Trump followers seem to mirror the same insecurity, ignorance, and immaturity of Trump.
1
Strange idea on what it means to be a superpower. More like the bully child on the play ground. Enjoy your superpower status as long as it takes. Don't cry afterwards that you have no friend left.
2
The majority of Americans are with the Group of 6 who are one in their opposition to Donald Trump.
Please stand up together against this dangerous, growing tyrant.
22
Hopefully, we can now dispense with any speculation over whether Trump is working for Putin. What could be more obvious?
20
“The isolation from our G-7 allies undermines the United States’ ability to work with them to confront real challenges in Russia or China or the Middle East,” Mr. Price said.
The same countries and region that the Trump organization had recent business dealing with. I don't think it is coincidence anymore.
14
The tariffs are justified by “national security”, a facade to make them legal. The backlash is justified.
10
Trump is the only president to confront the other G-7 countries about he patent unfairness of laws designed to lock the US out of their markets. In addition, the US has foot the bill for 50 years of military protection for most, if not all of the other G-7 nations.
One could clearly understand why the one who has been cheated and swindled of national treasure by our “family “ would become weary of it continuing. I believe the phrase goes: “with friends like these....”
4
Mr. Rational, we are not locked out of any of their markets. You are either woefully misinformed or lying. Also all of these countries bled and died alongside our soldiers in recent past history. Canada was not attacked on 9/11 but their soldiers fought with us in Afghanistan and suffered casualties. Read "The Art of War". Sun Tzu emphasizes how seeking and maintaining allies is a vital party of avoiding military conflict and winning those you do engage in.
2
You truly believe that US troops are stationed in Europe for charity reasons? It's because Europe is a designated battleground for the next big conflict. So you are welcome to bring your troops back home. But fight your wars on your own soil then.
Ever the coward, Trump finds it easier to avoid the tough conversations by leaving early than engage them head on.
18
Just how much more damage can this highly incompetent person do to our country. With every incoherent sentence he utters this crude, vulgar wanna-be dictator distances us from our now former allies. He just doesn't get it but the photo says it all. Too bad his party doesn't care enough to do something about him.
20
Diplomacy is not Trump's cup of tea.
4
As a Canadian, I just hope Trudeau sticks to his guns and not back down on the retaliatory measures. It's about time Canada pushes back!
24
You realize the drama teacher's retaliatory measures make us (Canuckistani consumers and importers of U.S. goods) poorer, right?
As an American so do I.
1
Reducing this serious breech in diplomatic relations to a family squabble is disgusting. This could very well be the beginning of a crises.
11
This is probably the most disturbing news yet, from an administration that specializes in disturbing news.
The president is a grown man. But he's leaving a MAJOR summit of world leaders early because he doesn't like what the other leaders have to say?
Too bad. The G6 leaders are offering better advice than Fox News.
23
Mr Trudeau was a classroom teacher. Perhaps he may cancel flight privileges of Air Force One in Canadian air space until after the G7 summit is properly finished? Just like the petulant misbehaving child that trump is, young master trump can go stand in the corner until the "good students" are done.
Ahhh, it will never work ....
Would that they all denounce him in the harshest terms and subject him to public humiliation and shame. He must be rhetorically emasculated and rendered impotent for all to see.
14
I predict that Trump will play Mister nice guy for a moment and take some of his threats back, but he is finally going to hit a wall as his bait and switch tactics are not going to fly anymore. So much for his art of the deal!
8
Where is the fact check on Trump's comments about European tariffs and other non-monetary barriers? Is he right, or not?
The reason for the tariffs is that much of the steel we buy from foreign countries, actually comes from China.
3
How much more of this great Trump stuff can our nation suffer?
15
Look at the photo. The G-6 want nothing to do with Trump or our USA.
20
G-6 to G-1 (our USA under President Calamity: "Get lost."
11
Heck of a job, Trumpie. For a couple of billion in hotel loans, just hand the keys to the kingdom over to China.
30
And for wealthy tax cut we get danger to soc sec and Medicare.
Trump supporter electorate can choke on that I imagine
Trump doesn’t represent me or my beliefs. I am an American. I believe in inherent equality and justice. Trump believes in backdoor deals and a thug mentality. He promoted division to gain power. The American people, except those who want to enrich themselves through rape and plunder, have not benefited from it. Trumpet doesn’t represent me. He doesn’t represent the American character. It is time to vote out the swine we have elected, he and his endorsements, and begin again. It’s time to rebuild in the true spirit of America, democracy and liberty. Trump and his party are rotted flesh on the healthy body of society.
38
Far worse thanthe damage to trade and economies both at home and abroad is the complete erosion of 200 years of trust that existed between the US and its key allies and trading partners. It has take Trump 500 days to destroy 200 years' worth of good will. No country that ever signs an agreement with the US will ever be able to look at it in the same way. If a man's word is his bond, and Trump's word in worthless, why should he be trusted to represent the US? Why is he being allowed this level of latitude, to impose his will as if he is a dictator rather than an elected leader accountable to the people? Is this the future of GOP administrations - because they can't govern, the attempt to rule? Remove him, stat.
35
This article was already cringe-worthy. I suspect I will need a tranquilizer handy when news from the actual summit starts breaking. A drunk circus bear would likely be better-behaved than Trump.
Please hurry Mr. Mueller....
32
Dear Other Nations,
I am sorry for our choice of President. While not all of us are personally responsible we still have a collective responsibility. Please remember that he does not reflect the majority of us and I hope this is indeed a moment in time where we reflect, change the course in our next election cycle, and prove ourselves worthy to enter the world stage as partners with our allies.
Sincerely, a sad and embarrassed American
36
Once Trump is gone, how the hell do we ever dig ourselves out of the deep, deep hole he's digging for us?
18
Look at the bright side.
There'll be nowhere to go but up !
An ill informed, ill tempered, incurious man negotiating on a world stage, what could go wrong?
26
President Trump never learned to play well with others.
19
Trump is the perfect chump to lead the Decline and Fall of the US Empire.
Buckle up suckers, because your life as you know it is over.
20
The decline will not be immediate nor will it be obvious to a lot of people, but the process has already begun. In the same manner as Britain is now essentially an open-air museum with no genuine relevance, the U.S. is heading in the same direction. Within a few generations the world will come to see us as merely one giant Disneyland theme park (or maybe "Westworld" if things really go south). Wealthy Asians, Euros, and the omnipresent Russian oligarchs will come here for vacations or to park some millions in real estate, and maybe pay a few more millions to get their kids into Stanford or one of the Ivies, but no one will look to us for political or economic leadership. The 1% won't care (historically they never do) and people will either laugh or sigh that the U.S. has become a joke - kind of the way Trump has turned the Statue of Liberty into a cruel and cynical punch line.
While we are draining our energy emoting about him, his lackeys are sowing hatred, looting the nation, brutalizing nature. People need to organize and register voters--and have massive demonstrations against him in every city on the continent.
33
Are you leading?
I may follow.
Guess we're going to find out what happens when nobody pays attention to the crying kiddie at an adult's party.
Seat him in the corner and give him some McDonalds and a juice box.
15
Trump: Giving aid and comfort to Enemies & alienating Allies since 2017!
13
If you want respect from your allies, you have to show respect. Trump doesn't have any social skills. Trying to be a bully won't work. A good deal is a win-win situation, not win-lose. The rest of the world can get along quite well w/o the selfish, lying, whining Trump Republicans. Goodbye.
20
Liberals want a multilateral world.
The good news is that they are about to get their wish, though perhaps not as they expected.
For the last 25 years or so, we’ve lived in essentially a unipolar Pax Americana system. The U.S. provided global security, particularly for oil supplies, and funded our allies and others with massive trade deficits. Unfortunately, the financial burden is too great even for the U.S., so the existing order is failing. This is particularly true since adversaries like China and to a lesser extent, Russia, have become stronger.
The best failure mode will be for our like-minded allies to shoulder a greater share of the defense and financial burden of maintaining a Western-oriented global system. This will require them to pay more for defense and to reduce their trade surpluses with the U.S.
As this happens, U.S. influence will wane and our allies will have a greater say in how the global system is run. This may or may not be preferable to the unipolar Pax Americana world, but it is inevitable.
12
I keep hearing this argument. But what about the role of the greenback as the world’s reserve currency. My economics training taught me that that is thhe culprit for the trade shortages. If you want a fair trade balance, than you have to let go of the resrve currency role. And that will have much wider repercussions. Potentially even weakening your homeland security. Be carefull what you wish for. As Trump has taught us one wise lessin: you might get it !
4
They can be angry--but they will be told to stuff it. There is only one big dog-and the U.S.A. is that canine. Do not like--go home with you tail between your legs.
5
I’m surprised you weren’t nominated for Secretary of State, Jon ?
27
This a moronic childish post by someone who clearly has an inferiority complex,and who is willing to cut off his nose to spite his face in a puffy tantrum. Fortunately this is an ill
Informed individual and not the President of the United States of America. Oh wait...
14
Which is exactly what the rest of the world will be telling the US soon. Remember, The European Union is a bigger dog. Sorry to burst your bubble.
The Europeans are not allies. They're DEPENDENTS (along with Israel, Japan, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and others.) The US has been supporting Europe for over a century: WWI, WWII, Marshall Plan, cold war, NATO. Time for Europe to start paying for its own defense. Europe might have to give up 6 weeks vacation, cradle to grave health care, retirement at 60, high speed trains, and other goodies the US taxpayers subsidize but not the US taxpayers' responsibility. Come Europe show us how angry you are. Stop taking our money - not to mention the lives of our service men and women.
11
Has it ever occurred to you that the weak security of Europe may have something to do with trying to avoid another war on the continent ? The cost the US is shouldering for the security of Europe, is far, far less then the cost of he US coming to the rescue of another continent destroying war. This may be no longer in the writing, but for decades it has. You cant make policy based on a singular occasion. You have to understand the context. And in that note, whout you still wave your star spangled banner, cheering for the whatever champions of the word, if the US degresses to become just another country, say France?
9
The Americans are not in Europe for charity reasons. They need a potential battleground for the next big war. So we have a deal: You take your troops back home and fight your wars on your own soil. Oh and by the way, the german social system is about 150 years old . It worked (and works) pretty fine, which has nothing to do with your imagined american subsidies. Even in the dark times when we invested much more in our military. If you want to spend most your money on weapons, it's fine. Nobody is forcing you. I prefer investments in health care and quality of life.
1
So you want Europe to give up the things that America never had (decent healthcare, a functioning transportation system, etc.?). Bring 'em down to our level? That'll show 'em!
1
I'm rooting for the underdogs--the G6--vs. the odd man out, Number 7: He Who Would Rule the World. As the planet spins into its most threatened era of all time, the United States has "shared" the worst of its citizens (a crude, shallow, newly wealthy, and brutish fellow who would like to bring the rest of the planet to heel). Fight back, friends! Take courage in your relative numbers, your deeper and more admirable cultures, your commitment to solidarity among the nations of earth! Do not let this self-absorbed man from New York make a mockery of sober international gatherings! To the barricades, one and all!
12
Renouncing our old friendships of our close allies is gonna cost us plenty, and soon. Borrowing trillions of debt from our grandchildren in order to overspend and create false prosperity will not protect us from from this. And it will hit hardest to the middle class and working class people from the midwest and the south. Nobody will buy America's goods and services. Hey Trump supporters, do you want this?
As another example of voter stupidity, the war in Iraq by the US created ISIS by displacing all Iraqi Sunni military officers and keeping them out of the new Iraqi government. They had nowhere to go but to form ISIS.Is this really too complicated for US middle class voters to figure out? These voters are dumb!
14
The title of this article says it all.
4
Please, G6, don't just vent your anger: stand up to him.
18
I hope he doesn't forget what the North did at Pearl Harbor. It's a Day that Will Live in Infinity.
3
They need to focus on how they are going to survive without the US. Even if they got some positive information from trump during the summit, it will be forgotten before the idiot comes back to the US.
7
Nobody will ever accuse the megalomaniac of being intelligent or knowledgeable, just of being a bully and fraudulent businessman (con man).
15
I am proud Trump is not rubber stamping this nonsense, these small European countries and Japan and Canada, making up the Group 6+1, are complaining about. I never felt particularly comfortable with the UN, Nafta, or even NATO. These organizations were founded by the Rockerfeller family and their friends seeking to unify the world under one government, the United Nations. Well we can view things from a historical perspective, the nations of NATO have all cheated on expenditures and left the USA holding the bag for the majority of the expense involved in protecting these freeloaders, Trump had to twist their arms ( no pun intended ) just to get them to pony up their share. Nafta and the current tariffs in place against the USA have prevented our country from playing on an even playing field. Trump is opening up everyones eyes as to how bad our " friends" have been shafting US. Remember NAFTA was to create wealth and jobs, it did only not in the USA.
So before you complain that Trump is not nice to our allies and trading partners get the facts, boo hoo,we have been known as Uncle Sap for too long. You charge us 25%, we charge you 25%, that is an even playing field. Anything less is unacceptable.
12
Actually, no. NAFTA was not launched to create jobs, just to help level the playing field for free trade among its member states. And that's what it did.
8
Let us know how great you think the “deal” is when it’s YOU who are forced to pay more for your car, the stripping around the windows of your house, oh yes: your HOUSE itself, the money for a down payment for said house, your beloved Harley, your guns, your bullets and, the little can of Coke idiot Wilbur Ross thinks will go up just a penny or so. I didn’t think my opinion of the voters could go any lower, but the insistent ignorance of most Americans, particularly Trumpoids, about basic macroeconomics is beyond belief. Have another beer guys, while you can still afford the can.
16
Well. With this explanation, we rest our case. They are in a state of cognitive dissonance and delusion exacerbated by an inferiority complex.
1
Sadly it seems our allies have more interest in what's good for the United States than 45. His shake up shake down seek and destroy strategies are foolish.
11
One of the greatest insults to this country will be having your President set foot on our soil.
38
Agree. Help us rid ourselves of this crook.
7
Unfortunately, that may be true, however, try to remember a few things: 1. be thankful this unstable foolish and evil person is not your elected leader; 2. he did not win the popular vote; and 3. he won because the Republicans re-drew the electoral districts in 2010 after the census (as the party in power) and many of them are so badly skewed to favor the Republican vote that it handed DT the election. A number of districts have been declared unconstitutional forcing the party to redraw the districts, (eg.) Pennsylvania. Many times over the past few years I have heard people say they wish they lived in Canada. It's embarrassing to have a president that is the antithesis of what a president should be. I can no longer stand to hear his voice and his administration is filled with liars and sycophants. It is disgusting and unamerican.
10
Sadly, a lot of us agree. Désolé.
4
I think Putin is dancing with glee that he helped staging an EU-hostile Trump in US. Not only he regains his de-facto show of force in the world stage but also got an extra bonus in Trump by dividing the EU-US with a sharp wedge. Now Putin is no longer alone against EU-US, the US is alone against EU now. I bet he is grinning from ear to ear that his tiny 'investment' paid off big time.
31
The “Trump Economy” is great, huge, never been better. And the very same economy is in shambles, awful, and a disaster because of these “bad” trade agreements. Which is it?
22
Is it daytime or night?
That depends on where you're standing.
1
The EU is splitting apart and is totally helpless militarily.
Macron and Merkel are squeezing Teresa May mercilessly over Brexit even as Italy and Hungary lead other nationalist nations against the unelected EU bureaucrats,
In a pinch, May, needing free trade with U.S., will not support France or Germany.
In a cinch, U.S. has all natural resources to exist without trade though at reduced standard of living. EU will collapse without trade with U.S.
The U.S. is too powerful. As long as Trump stays strong, EU will make necessary concessions for "fair" trade.
Note: EU has refused to agree to free trade treaty with U.S. for 50 years because they know they can not compete with our efficiency. Their unfair trade practices and dependence on US military allows them a higher standard of living than if they competed fairly with US on trade.
8
Other world leaders work hard, have a solid team around then, and look for compromise. Trump wants none of that...afraid to sweat so as not to bleed orange.
11
Fast forward to 2019 - The G6 got together for their annual meeting....
16
We are sticking with domestic travel this summer. It is just too embarrassing to go abroad.
33
We just returned from Portugal and the burden of having to answer for this idiot almost spoiled our trip. As well intentioned as most questions were, they all asked, “how could you let this happen?” Think I’ll see if I still have that old 60s pin which said, “don’t blame me; I didn’t vote for him.”
473
In Europe for all of May. Tell them your from California. Smiles all around.
15
Nor did I. Just keep explaining that we voted our conscience but we lost the election. Another chance coming in November
Knowing full well why the Trump base had voted for him, what’s astounding for us Americans who lived abroad for over a decade, and I include our fellow Americans in Japan who are diehard Republicans, is the incoherent combined assault on all of our NATO allies, but not ONE criticism on Russia which is done with the full endorsement of middle and rural America who in my time (1970-1900’s) considered the former Soviet Union as anathema. The 50 million plus white Americans who voted for him are responsible for this state of affairs and history will record this time as THE most shameful period of our history.
27
What annoyed Trudeau was being told Canada is a security risk by reason of the trade deals. Given common battlefields going back to WW1 the taking in over 30,000 stranded Americans when US airspace closed down on 9/11 and getting out of Iran some US hostages after her embassy was stormed does not lead to security concerns. I hope.
22
The United States is not the only game in town. This country became a dominant economic force in the world in large part by rebuilding Europe after World War II, creating a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship.
But there are other fish in the sea, and refusing to acknowledge that may prove to be our downfall.
As the U.S. flirts with right-wing, authoritarian government, abandons its putative role as 'the West's' champion of human rights, and instead becomes a belligerent, bellicose pariah among advanced nations, we have little to offer the world that China cannot meet or beat. If Europe has to dance with the devil, we may not remain the devil of choice.
And if we succeed in alienating Mexico, Canada, Australia and other allies, they may also draw closer together, become more self-sufficient and leave us to fend for ourselves.
A 'big win' for the United States as a result of Trump's provocations is far from a foregone conclusion.
30
For the sake of democracy and in the interests of sanity, I hope our allies will shun him and do whatever they can to shut him down. If he pulls out the same garbage at their meetings I hope they will ask him to leave, and if he doesn't I hope they will walk out en masse and meet away from him. That may seem extreme or rude, but he is extreme and rude and it is time for sane people to shut him down and treat him like the enemy he is. The public should boo him wherever he appears.
52
Wow, that’s a bit extreme. I’d LOVE it!
5
As Trump continues to isolate our Nation from her natural allies because of campaign promises that fly in the face of long term protocols, we are losing ground as a credible partner to them and anyone else. The Chinese suddenly have an open field in front of them to position themselves as the World’s Superpower.
15
President Zero Sum thinks he can only "win" if someone else "loses". He incapable of comprehending the concept of a common good (the "commonweal", the "general welfare"). They will ignore him at the G-7. And they should because he has nothing to add. Because he believes, only, in the zero sum. He is a national (and international) embarrassment.
17
As a patriotic American citizen, I hope the G-7 representatives ignore him, shun him, send him packing -- and keep in mind that a majority of Americans did not vote for this sorry excuse for a human being.
61
There is a precedent for countries being disinvited from summits, I'm actually a little surprised it isn't the G-6 this year. Given the icy reception don the con is likely to encounter at this year's summit my prediction for next year is pressing legal issues, a golf round and maybe a hum along of America the Beautiful will crowd out attendance of the summit from his calendar. Heck of a job donnie.
15
And consider that after he's sat in on their discussions, stone-faced, he's likely to pass on everything he's heard to the Kremlin.
5
As Trump continues to damage our relations with our allies, the United States continues to free-fall from their leadership in the free-world.
38
Too much American blood has been wasted to maintain the U.S. as "leader of the free world." Let Germany lead. We should pull out of NATO and mind our own business.
2
Who's kidding whom? It's G-6.
6
Trump's psychopathic state of mind renders him unfit for public office. He must be removed from office IMMEDIATELY! Any Republican who obstructs Trump's removal from office should also be removed from office. We cannot allow any of these people to hold public office who are intent on destroying our nation's security and standing the the world. They must be removed.
9
Dear Civilized World,
As an American citizen I'm begging you to shun the United States. Teach us a lesson for having raised this clownish monster, this Caliban, to the position he is in. This never should have happened. If America were a democracy, Hillary Clinton would be the president. But America is not a democracy. Please, Civilized World, shame us and pressure us into reforming our system to be more like yours, the members of the Civilized World.
20
You said it. Jay Arthur. You speak for me, a citizen of the sixth largest economy in the world.
4
The meeting should be billed as G6 + Other
5
What a spectacle at just how fast the so-called “successful businessman” in the oval office is proving terribly unfit for the job, and how spineless and feckless a group of cowards McConnell, Ryan and the rest of the GOP are in refusing to come to terms with this reality. It’s a shameful national embarrassment now on full display for all the world to see.
32
We can only hope that one of these leaders will push trump out of the way this year. Put him in the back row just out of photo margin. I hope they stand up to this little man & give him a taste of himself by shutting him down. Will he walk out on his former friends & allies? Putin is laughing all the way to the bank.
16
Trudeau and Macron should speak only French around Trump at the G-7 Summit, Merkel should speak only German, Abe speak only Japanese, etc etc.
Sideline the con man who shoves people out of the way so he can be at the front of the line for the photos.
16
Russia is winning its gamble to influence our elections and drive a wedge between the US and our long time allies. I do not know whether Trump in his arrogance sees what he is doing or how he helps the aims of Putin, but that does not matter as Trump is either a dupe or traitor.
Putin has manipulated the fears of a huge segment of our population into believing that our agreements do not matter and destroying relations with our friends will automatically fix what they think is a problem.
Why is Trump going to this E7 congress? Our goal needs to be to cement relations and repair any problems, not to bluster and strut around like an old style ugly American. Putin is winning because he sees that Trump and those he represents do represent the worst of American traits.
24
Man I despise your president. And it’s not about the tariffs. Just his character. Bloomberg was right he knows a con man when he sees one.
126
Well, we really didn’t elect him. He had help.
27
Most of us despise him too. I more than despise him; I've never hated someone so intensely in my life. Unbearable.
14
He’s got to be one of the most despised humans walking the face of the earth. I’m sad to day I feel a special hatred for DJT. When will this nightmare be over?
13
Arrogance ,disdain, self centered in accordance his acts of “Ufff...these all, maybe I’ll will have to given a hard lesson” ; just to show them who are they dealing with..
And to my view since the Edge of Our Land, at the Yucatán by the Blue Caribbean, The very powerful Respetable;Monsieur: P.M. Honorable Justin Trudeau,
Monsieur President,Honorable Emmanuel Macron; Give the false impression of be at will
of their Par, from USA Monsieur D.Trump. Time to set the record straight.
Well, how this going to be ? Your way or Our View, not tomorrow or the next day, this here
And Now, So simple to write it, Guess them all know better. But then again what it’s going to be is it Europe or simply money, for for a fact Quality .is the key.
1
Why was Trump even invited?
13
If Trump the bully wants to pick a fight he better not go toe-to-toe with Justin Trudeau. Prior to becoming prime minister, Trudeau had a charity boxing match with a conservative Canadian senator and essentially wiped the floor with the guy. I have no doubt that, like Joe Biden, Trudeau and all the G6 leaders would like to take Trump out behind the school gym and knock some sense into him. But we're all adults here right so no name calling or fighting!
Search on youtube for Justin Trudeau Patrick Brazeau charity fight. 15 minutes of listening to conservative fight commentators gradually realize their guy was going to lose. Priceless!
10
Yes, a family spat like the Menendes brothers and their parents,
Is this sitcom clown show ever going to end? G6 plus 1/2 (that's the US) is essentially on the verge of economic war at best. And why should we expect anything different from this WH
What is most unfortunate, but totally predictable was Putin telling Europe how foolish they were to trust the US,,,hmmm, was that in the bromance discussion between Don and Volodya?
November vote the GOP out just to put up a firewall against this madness,
8
I spoke with a customer service rep in Ontario Canada- I said on behaf of my fellow American citizens I apologize about trump. He said hears that a lot.
22
No serious person ever imagined that we could put this fool on the world stage without suffering severe consequences. The real global leaders, Merkel et al, need to show us American voters that American can, and must be, sidelined until we can get our house in order. It's a daunting task: our house is flooded and filled with mildew and sewage because we left the wrong people in charge, and even when we realized they are greedy charlatans, we did almost nothing.
37
This 71 year old can be duly ponderous and fairly slow on the uptake.
Once again we are reminded that we have a tragically unprepared and dangerously unprincipled ‘fake’ president who is an unabashed leech and an unrepentant liar. He should have seen that pulling out of the TPP gives China an open field to play in. He should recognize that withdrawing from NAFTA will harm many of the very people he claims to champion. He should understand that protecting dying industries to preserve jobs restrains the overall economy.
36
It's like a 'Caddyshack' sequel.
Al Czervik Goes To Ottawa
3
We are at a turning point. Trump's actions are very obviously being dictated by Vladimir Putin. The blindness or willful ignorance of the American people is astounding. The inaction of our supposed Congress is treasonous. I hope this Country can survive this if it doesn't maybe it doesn't deserve to.
21
Expecting any change of attitude or policy from Trump is foolish. He is the poster boy for the Dunning-Kruger effect.
“In the field of psychology, the Dunning–Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people of low ability have illusory superiority and mistakenly assess their cognitive ability as greater than it is.”
Trump’s body language in videos is even more revealing than in still photos. His behavior when not the one at the microphone speaks volumes, swaying and twisting in discomfort until it is again his time in the spotlight. His continued failure to be unable to sing either the US National Anthem or “God Bless America” is most telling of his diminished mental capacity.
Possessing almost incomprehensible ignorance, historically unable to admit errors, unwilling to apologize for any wrong, and exceptionally ignorant of even basic truths and acceptable social behaviors, & totally devoid of empathy or compassion, Trump will not change his policies at the G-6, plus 1, and our nation will continue to spiral away from its leadership position in the world until Trump, his administration and Trumpism are gone.
.
20
These foreign leaders leaders are in the enviable position to do what so many Americans would love to do: tell off Trump to his face. I hope they're brutal.
He needs to hear blunt criticism, which he'll never get from the sycophants who surround him, nor from Fox News.
28
Although as a Canadian I am deeply troubled at Mr. Trump's positions, it's clear he is a strong and decisive leader in a world run by wishy-washy, uninspiring politicians. Love him or hate him, he is a strong leader and many people welcome that, relieved to finally have a President prepared to put himself on the line, take unpopular positions, for his countries interests. People are sick and tired of shape-shifting politicians, isn't that obvious by now? When is the Democratic Party going to come up with a leader with some backbone to oppose him and policies that matter to people to win his followers over? Instead of the folly of waiting for him to fall on his sword? He's winning, folks! Wake up!
5
In what way do you see Trump as strong and consistent? He shifts sides of the fence as often as its shadow does.
He won’t face his adversaries. He sends one of his toadies to do his dirty work or sends a twitter to everyone insulting his opponent, who he references with inane name-calling.
Trump is destroying our nation and turning our "democracy" into a plutocratic Banana Republic, bankrupting it, in addition. The United States may become the first Fourth World divided nations.
If you like him so well, why don’t you offer him a bribe to come to Canada? Money is the only language he understands.
13
No, he's not winning. He has already lost, by almost three million votes.
7
Of course our so-called allies are angry. The gravy train is ending. Fairness and equity must rule. No more ripping America off. Don't get angry as it won't do any good.
7
No matter how many negative comments are posted. These comments will not make a difference unless we vote! The best comments will be your votes for somebody else. Let's don't allow this to happen again.
23
President Trump’s national security nonsense has been cleared away. National security can be protected by ordering, with Congressional concurrence, the DOD to gradually restrict the sources of their purchases to domestic firms that use no materials or components from abroad. And, such a policy would substantially increase employment opportunities here at home.
Since national security is no longer an issue, China’s ambition to dominate the world’s economy would be the chief beneficiary of Trump’s tariffs. If Trump is not as dumb as I think he is, I wonder what he hopes to get in return.
3
" Visceral rage " That is the only reaction Trump evokes be they be our citizens and allies and foes - except Russia who is sitting pretty to see this President immolate.
5
Trump adores Putin and Xi and praises Kim Jong Un as an honorable man...who happens to kill his own relatives. On the other hand, Trump says Canada is a national security threat and bragged a few weeks ago about lying to Trudeau. What is really going on here? Trump is kowtowing to known enemy countries while alienating America's best friends. Does Trump really not know what he's doing or is there something sinister in his actions? It looks like Trump is intentionally destabilizing America.
35
There are 91 billion reasons why the EU will back down in a trade dispute with the U.S. And 18 billion reasons for Canada and 50 billion reasons for Japan to do the same.
Make no mistake. Despite all the bold public rhetoric by our allies, quiet and private discussions will yield trade agreements much more favorable to the U.S.
Just wait.
9
Wait how long - until pigs fly?
8
Yeah your brand is busted bro . I’ll pass on made in the USA.
2
Good for Mr. Trump. The other nations are used to taking advantage of the US. No more, I guess. We want fair trade - what a sin, for us to want to help our own citizens.
Most of these countries are not even willing to pay their fair share into NATO. A bunch of sorry whiners. Really, no sympathy here. Trump has this one right.
12
If trade is so unfair and loaded against the USA how is the US, a country with only 5% of world population enjoying 25% of world Wealth? We are eating many peoples fair share of their lunch. And when China and India with 1/3 of Entire human population are only now beginning to get back their fair share of world wealth we feel like we are actually losing when we are only giving up the share that never belonged to us to begin with.
406
That’s just not true. America has used its influence to gain advantage over our trading partners for a hundred years. But what really galls is the destructive attitude of our current President. These aren’t real estate deals where bullying and puffery work. These are strategic relationships with NATO countries. They went into Afghanistan with us when we asked. Their people died. Private Heelspurs has no honor. And, soon, no friends.
32
Clinging to Bibles and guns will get US citizens ostracized by the rest of the world.
20
The G-7 “Partners” have been getting away with favorable trade agreements since the Second World War. After pulling their cookies out of the fire and then rebuilding them, they’re like spoiled brats, expecting the largess of the Americans to subsidize their economies forever. Trump is right, let’s see if theyoagree to equal tariffs, 0% or 5% or 50% on all goods in and out. Watch them scream.
4
Puh-leeze. You make it sound like all the good in the world emanates from the U.S. This country has done more than its share of damage and now appears to be cozying up to despots and dictators.
2
I just hope Europeans get so fed up with him they just sanction his entire Trump business organization that he is not supposed to be a part of.
That’ll get him to back down.
20
It will require at least 40 years to repair the damage that 4 years of Trump will leave in his wake. . . IF, indeed, the damage even can be repaired. The pages of history are filled with examples of nations that have permanently slipped from their perch and never returned to their former glory, usually due to self-inflicted wounds.
30
Much of the damage could be rectified with a changing of the guard in Congress and the White House. But the judicial appointments are the gift that will keep on giving for 30 years or more - these are judges for life, barring impeachment, which is exceedingly rare, and early retirement, which is also an unusual event.
3
The naiveté of so many of the commenters is astounding. The US does not have allies. We have trading partners such as Canada and Mexico and DEPENDENTS such as Japan and the Europeans. Trump is telling them the free ride is up. Of course they're angry. Thank you President Trump for looking out for US interests.
6
No, the US has allies.
8
Pray for the planet. Crazy is traveling with his do what he wants doesn’t believe in the 100% climate change reality, the irreversible inertia of
global warming, the catastrophic state of the ocean known for over 50 years as in bad shape and worse beyond a horror movie now. At the ever increasingly critical time to have such ignorance and his administration puts us in worse peril.
He’s toxic waste. Stephen Hawking said about 90 years for the planet. People stream to the United States hoping for life but we are not filled with solutions. I pray that the unity of our allies can make a change. He’s so insane it seems like false optimism. Regarding inertia the things that have occurred over 20 years will happen faster in the next 5.
9
For those who think “oh Mars may be our alternative” wake up not in a thousand years. Too stupid to even entertain explaining. “ oh Mars they say may be habitable”. Beyond ignorant. The lack of intelligence or thinking in depth is demoralizing.
These are people who couldn’t understand that a supreme country verdict in “a narrow margin” refereed to the narrow scope of the decision in the baker case not the 7-2 vote.
It was a decision against the way the state mis handled it. We are overrun with idiots. Our future is held back by cliches “me too” and “supports immigrants” no detail, no context no depth. I hope we can save the planet
1
I agree with assessments, above, that the American position favors the interests, possibly even the wildest dreams, of autocratic, kleptocratic Russia. But the G-6 meeting offers the real and constructive prospect, of a candid lecture to the American electorate from loyal, competitive friends in the largest trading bloc we deal with. I, for one, will not mind a sympathetic opposition Party for this nation's government, conspicuously missing here, wherever one may look. Let the lesson begin.
5
"...wherever one may look"
Look to California, We're your almost-neighbors to the south.
Trouble is that when the "estranged sibling who decided to pick fights with his relatives just before arriving to dinner" is done with this, he may no longer be invited over for any meal.
8
These complacent "leaders" need to be given a dose of reality and that's what Mr. Trump is, for better and worse, giving them. Multilateralism, as exemplified by the WTO, has been dead and buried for a long time now. Free trade has given the world many benefits but it has also played an important role in increasing inequality in the advanced economies. NAFTA, in particular, has been devastating for the American middle class and the combination of NAFTA and relatively open borders has caused inequality (as measured by the Gini coefficient) in the US to approach Latin American levels in recent years. Mr. Trump's trade policy would have been called industrial policy by the left in decades past but now the mainstream left loves free trade. The reality is that had Mr. Sanders (a good man in my opinion) been elected president, his trade policy would have been similar in outcome, if not in style, to that of Mr. Trump's. While I personally find Mr. Trump's style more than a bit offensive, I support much of his trade policy.
5
NAFTA has not been devastating. Outsourcing and offshore tax havens have been devastating.
Outsourcing - like Trump and Ivanka do with their cheap clothes.
Tax avoidance - like Trump does.
Our economy was strong in 50s/60s because Europe and Japan were ruins, and China and Russsia were behind the iron and bamboo curtains. We had no competition. We need to innovate, not blame foreigners.
18
Historically, U.S. “trade” policy has been to enter a country, take over its economy, destroy it, make huge profit from the destruction, and then complain that citizens of those countries are losers. That we have been unable to do that in other G-7 countries is likely the basis for all this whining about unfairness
1
Trump is our modern day Warren Harding and Herbert Hoover rolled into one man. Harding gave us the Teapot Dome scandal and Hoover gave us the Great Depression. At least Americans had a brief respite in between with Calvin Coolidge.
Today we have Trump with the Russian collusion investigation and the Stormy Daniels scandal. In addition we have Trump and his tariffs which could lead not only to a vicious trade war but to a depression. Prices for goods will rise, inflation will rise and at best paychecks will remain stagnant. Trump will no longer be able to brag about employment numbers going up. Instead he'll have to blame it on the Democrats, Obama and Hillary when they go down.
Just think it once took two presidents to create a scandal and a depression. Now it could only take one. What progress we have made!
14
Is anyone checking in with the FOX Base? How do his supporters feel about their great tax break, a trade war, the growing deficit and the threat it presents to Medicare and Social Security? Or do they think of these things? Does The Base simply love a fight and like to break things just for the heck of it? So many questions! They made such a big deal about their European heritage, and then hate Europe. How do people support this? Why?
30
And as Trump destroys international friendships the Republican Congress sits passively on their hands, cowed into submission by Trump and his base. History will not be kind to those who tossed aside their checks and balances obligations in an effort to save their jobs. Party and politics before country. Sad.
21
Perhaps when our "friends" start treating us with the same openness in regards to trade we will all be in a better place. We've tried "open trade" where our industrial base if hollowed out and our partners protect their industries. Tell the unemployed factory workers in the Midwest why their jobs should be sacrificed so we can buy cheap shirts at Wal-Mart. Since when do liberals not care about the American worker? Look who has benefited from open (it certainly isn't free) US trade. It's the .1% that has done fabulously well over the past 30 years. Want the middle and lower classes to have improved lives? Bring business back to America.
2
Please give an example or two of which specific deals hollowed out our industrial base. Or is that just something you heard and repeat?
Who is sacrificing American jobs? It’s the big corporations which just got a big tax cut and the wealthy like Trump who gets even more tax cuts and ship the jobs overseas. Then there is the whole automation that has taken away millions of jobs, many more than what’s been shipped offshore.
2
It would be better if Trump decided not at attend or if the G-6 disinvited him. Otherwise tensions and dislike will grow
8
He won't say or do anything in person. He talked tough on the internet and that's about it. This isn't TV. He can't tell the director to cut and start again so he can look like more of an authoritative figure. Take his phone out of his hands and he's a joke. The world knows it. Our only hope is that he doesn't make too many diplomatic blunders but as far as having any face-to-face confrontations with other world leaders, not a chance. He'll wait until he gets back home safely in DC and then pretend to dictate policy at 3 in the morning by the warm glow of Fox News on one of his 17 TV screens, using the hand that's not holding a Big Mac.
41
@marco:
Oh, he's a joke with his phone in his hands too! Unfortunately, the joke is on us.
1
Americans should be even angrier that we allowed a fool, who did not receive the majority of the popular vote, to "win" the presidency and to violate every norm and convention of international relations, tearing asunder alliances 70+ years old which have maintained peace and economic security since WWII. Boomers, who voted heavily for Trump, have betrayed "the greatest generation". And it all comes crashing down within 2 years of Dotard assuming office. Truly sad.
11
The G7 Minus One already know that this joke of an administration that supposedly represents the largest economy of G7 too shall pass, perhaps like a bad kidney stone, but it shall pass.
We are just enduring through a stress test of our Republic, like what some other G7s went through in preceding decades. I hope the G7 Minus One understand it better than our Minus One.
21
The actions towards friends by someone who does not understand love or friendship.
He would be sad lonely figure but since he is the bully president he can not even have sympathy.
Proof that money cannot buy everything. Clearly it cannot buy taste, class, dignity, decency, love, nor honor.
3
So it's "classy" to let our so called friends steel our jobs, hollow out our industrial base and have the temerity to lecture us on how awful we are to expect an even playing field? I hope Trump succeeds because our fellow countrymen will prosper.
1
How on earth is the media going to handle their about face on this when all of their doomsday "predictions" look ridiculous during and after this "gathering"
8
What are you saying? That everything about Trump is fake?
3
Although it won't be, this meeting should be a call to arms for Mexico and Canada. If they are not potentially as violent as us, we will kill them when the time is right. Nuclear weapons are their only protection.
3
It will be a sad couple of days here in Canada. Your president is making his first - and hopefully last - trip here. I really wish there was some way we could charge him for the air he'll breathe and for the space he'll occupy. He's as unwelcome in this country as any human being of his ilk could possibly be. I hope whatever sickness afflicts him isn't contagious.
I guess it would be much easier on everyone if he just gave the whole event a pass.
94
You're as fond of him as most Americans are. Go ahead and charge him for the air and the space. He stiffs most of his debtors. I wish you'd just keep him there.
8
While they are our allies, they have become quite parasitic in their trade relationship with the U.S. I have to imagine they're very irritable, especially with the new 21% corporate tax rate. I can only imagine what the net economic outlook might be? Trump is no genius, I'll give you that, but it seems he was able to waddle out of 100 level economics. Perhaps put your disgust with the man aside, and think clearly: our manufacturing sector has taken a wallop. I imagine a great many of the responders have no interest or need to work on the factory floor. However, many do have that need. A great way to bring that back, is block outward competition, and create a very favorable home environment for business investment. Which will benefit everyone, and tamper down the interminable internal strife, from which this country currently suffers. Here is a link to the census bureau's data, on just the European Union, alone. You can look at any other country as well. https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c0003.html
4
Trump is "speculating" on deals with China and Korea (or whatever iteration it will be going forward) and "short-selling" his G6 investments.
From a man who usually deals in bankruptcies to make a fortune, playing this gambit on a world stage is beyond risky.
But it's happening. All of us post, but come November will we act?
7
The G8 became the G7 after Russia made itself a pariah. Now the G7 is effectively about to become the G6.
I'm beginning to see a pattern here. Birds of a feather......
9
It's why he doesn't want to go to the summit. He knows that they're all angry with him--for good reason. They know that he's using these tariffs to fire up his base ahead of the mid-terms. They also know that he has no idea what he is doing. I hope that they give him a real hard time...
19
But they love us in Russia. And Saudi Arabia. And Turkey. And the Philippines.
14
Perhaps Trump is the bad cop, to be followed in 2 years by the good cop.
5
All according to Putin's plans.
Scrapping the Iran deal raises oil prices. Beneficiary: Russia
Ridiculous "national security" tariffs on allies splits the world's two main democratic blocs. Beneficiary: Russia
Attacking and undermining free press and the FBI, DOJ, etc. Beneficiary: Russia
The man is a Russian agent!
96
I am really glad that someone recognized it. Russia was isolated after the Ukraine related sanctions. Putin has turned the tables and now the USA stands isolated.
9
Couldn't agree more, and while Mueller dithers, Trump gains more power and does increasingly worse things.
2
How can foreigner leaders take him seriously when he doesn't even know the words to his own national anthem?
24
If Trump isn't intentionally destroying America (for whatever reason) then he sure as heck slipped and fell into it...
Everything he does sows more division, breaks trust in institutions, and ruins all of the goodwill America has fostered for two centuries... every single action.
Every time he has a choice between a harmful thing... and a less harmful thing... he makes up a third catastrophic thing, that no one else considered or agrees with upon reflection... and then he does it.
It should be common sense by now... it's so obvious... they aren't even trying to hide it. They do it, and say it's good for us... or that it's all the democrats fault.
Madness. Utterly transparent madness... we look like fools to anyone with a modicum of critical thought, right now... just imagine how history books are going to view us...
28
I sincerely hope they all openly snub, or even deride, that horrible man.
43
I love this country enough to hope that Donald Trump is broken at this meeting. May the world align against him and his cretinous policies, and teach him, and us, once and for all that politics is serious business, not a game show.
21
The problem in keeping an opponent off balance is impossible if your unbalanced. To paraphrase, "There is madness in his method."
Hamlet act 2 scene 2 There’s a method to his madness
2
I hope there will be an extremely frosty reception for the Liar in Chief by the rest of the G 7 members. In fact, sending him packing would probably let him know in no uncertain terms that his tariffs are not welcome or alliance building.
12
Let's ask Europeon authors getting extra tariffs what they think of Trump and post it as relevant news analysis. ok.
1
In the photo, Merkel is obviously trying to ignore Trump who seems to know it.
6
Bernie and Trump and yes even Hillary trash talked trade agreements. The flip side to tarrifs is higher prices. Thus need for tarrifs are to be weighed carefully and with discernment. Trump is the guy, Right.
2
After years of Clinton, GW & Obama giving away the farm, the "allies" thought taking advantage of American largesse was an entitlement. Go Trump
8
It goes both ways as you will find out.
Since nothing trump says is believable, and that republicans are basically doormats for trump, this meeting (as far as US participation) is a waste of time.
The only person cheering trump on is Putin, and for Putin, it's mission accomplished. He has managed to get trump to alienate the allies while simultaneously allowing Putin to improve relations with them.
The only losers here are the American people. trump and his family are busy using the office of the president to make all their "behind the scene" deals and enrich themselves at our expense while simultaneously undermining our constitutional principles.
A travesty.
51
Do not despair, G-6, the Donald and his crew are going to blow your minds. So what if he rips up agreements, trashes his predecessors, spits in your face and revels in his perceived greatness. You can tell your grandchildren you got to be with President Trump, that and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee. RAW
3
Is a cup of coffee still that cheap in Oregon?
1
If only anyone could get through his ego...
2
The "family photo" of the G7 Summit meeting in Taormina, Sicily last year, (Stephen Crowley, NYT) showed Trump in full - alone --an outlier, an outsider, not beloved by his fellow G 7 leaders. After Trump has alienated almost all of his fellow presidents and prime ministers with his trade war initiatives and withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accords, and T.P.P. and the Iran Nuclear Deal, and and and, we are looking forward to the family photo of the meeting Friday and Saturday in Charlevoix, Quebec. Wondering if Trump will tool around in a golf cart in Canada as he did, instead of walking shanks mare, in Sicily? And stay tuned for the Kim Jong-un Singapore Summit with The Donald on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Trump's "personal attorney", Rudy Giuliani is laughing fit to bust about Kim Jong-un "on his hands and knees begging Trump for the meet and greet". Man, what a loose cannon Rudy is! How to pull the plug on Rudy, who "does not represent the Trump government" as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo promised...we shall see what we shall see. Another busy chaotic week ahead for our 'unpresidented' president.
11
Maybe Donnie will sing a little of God Bless America for the others to impress them.
6
Can Americans sign up for any treaty or policy the G7 comes up with, on an individual basis? Asking for a friend....
15
Why is everyone so angry? Trumps actions are is exactly what you can expect if you knowingly appoint a Russian stooge to the highest office in the land. Isn't that so GOP?
29
As Trump imposes tariffs, Putin basically says “I told you so” to the G6 about America being a reliable ally and partner.
Certainly, Putin is playing his Trump card well.
22
Yes indeed, mr Kim is an " honorable man". An honorable man who killed his uncle and step brother. An honorable man who starves half his population and puts his political foes in " labor" camps. So Mr. Kim the " honorable " man will negotiate with the President of the United States. Another "honorable" man who mocks a disabled reporter, accused by 19 women of improper sexual conduct and can't go even one day without lying.
22
Trump has but one attitude and it stinks on ice.
16
G-7 nations should view a tariff assault against one member as an assault against all and collectively impose (crippling if possible) trade sanctions on Trump and his base. America is out of control and needs an intervention.
7
Angela Merkel made it official. She announced in the German Bundestag (i.e. parliament) this week that Germany has no intention of ever meeting its NATO defense spending commitment of 2% of GDP. Instead, Germany will spend nearly $20 billion per year below its commitment.
This decision is tremendously disappointing and harmful. It not only leaves NATO short of its required manpower and firepower, but more importantly signals to the U.S. and other NATO allies that Germany simply isn’t committed to the alliance.
Of course, Germany has every sovereign right to make this decision. But they have forfeited the right to even speak of transatlantic partnership and commitments.
4
Not true. Merkel has publicly committed Germany to meeting its NATO obligations on several occasions. I tried to google your claim, and only came up with Trump's tweets and sources like reddit. Do you have a citation?
2
Ya the American industrial complex knows no end. It wouldn't t be happy if every dollar was spent on the military. Your leader seemed to miss his call from his country due to bone spurs. Don t complain about another country.
Sandra:
Here is a citation in English from Reuters. It mentions the defense minister, but Merkel said the same thing yesterday. You can find this in German sources.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-military-nato/germany-aims-to...
$20 billion is approximately .5% of the German GDP, the amount of the shortfall.
Please also note that this commitment is by 2025. It would require a significant ramp up to even reach their 1.5% projection.
Every U.S. taxpayer and parent should be absolutely furious about NATO "partners" (Germany and others) who are unwilling to shoulder their fair share to support the alliance.
And to think that just a few years ago, we sent President Obama, who was probably the most thoughtful and cerebral President in generations to this meeting where his knowledge and gravitas was met with courtesy and partnership by our European friends.
I am sick with embarassment.
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They should invite Jerry Brown, California's economy is as big as some of theirs and they would find a true ally with him.
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Judging from the amount of comments and concern coming from our Canadian neighbours to the North, I would just like to reassure you all that Donald Trump and the Republican Party does NOT represent the voice and will of the entire American People -- and were it not for the Republican gerrymandering of Electoral Districts, the all-but-certain Russian influence on the presidential election, and the outdated Electoral College system, we' d hardly find ourselves in the position we are now.... So. lighten up.
We get it !
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So Trump was angry that the Eagles wouldn't give him a photo op. The G-6 should do the same. No photos with Trump, no hand shakes and no deals.
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The United States can afford to alienate these "allies." They need America much, much more than America needs them.
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So the U.S. doesn't need allies? That would certainly be Putin's POV, but as an American citizen I have to disagree.
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Who cares if "allies" are upset when what we are complaining about is them taking advantage of us. They should be concerned that WE are angry. We were not put on earth to live up to ther expectations.
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It seems that the US is taking advantage of allies.
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No one said you were put on earth to live up to allies' expectations. Alliances are mutual by definition. The question is whether you want allies. If you think the U.S. can go it alone, you're in for a frustrating and expensive ride. (And no, our G-7 allies are not taking advantage of us.)
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Trump sold his followers on being a Deal Maker but all he is is a Deal Breaker. Why go to the G7 Meeting if you are unwilling to interact productively with the rest of the world?
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Welcome to the post neoliberal age! Let Trump go to that self-selected club of hypocrites, and tell them the US is no longer willing to buy the anachronistic idea of an EastWest conflict that benefits Europe, while the American taxpayer foots the bill.
Lets all impose tariffs on each other until we destroy the economic system that gives elites an upper hand in trade and commerce. Hopefully then people will wake up to the reality of economic injustice in our own country, and abroad, and get rid of an economic system dependent on "free trade", as defined by elites in New York, Frankfurt, Paris, Tokyo and Beijing. We might even reform political systems, starting with our own.
Make no mistake about it, this is the best reality show, with Trump and that group of self righteous politicians lecturing him about the very same things they'd like to get away with, but can't.
In the end, after all the angry venting in Canada, it will be back to the same old ways of international politics.
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So you think Trump is "post neoliberal"? You win for funniest comment of the day.
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Sandra: Perhaps even better would be metaneoliberal, just like that G7 clique looking out for their own selfish brand of "free trade" . Enjoy the show!
Trump is the only way to deal with the U.S. So he wields power and influence, thus he will neither be ignored nor treated with less than the greatest courtesy. There are two big problems. He is careless about the truth and he seldom remains firm about what he wants to do. Effectively he leaves other leaders uncertain about what to expect. That impedes collaborations.
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Every day we witness a new low for the United States. It's absolutely staggering.
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We should be a shamed to have a person like this to represent a great country such as the USA.
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Putin will be very gratified if the Allies are angry. It is exactly what he wants, and Trump is more than willing to do his bidding. Hopefully, the Allies will not allow themselves to be undermined by Trump's antics and work on the issues they need to while tolerating Trump's existence. Trump is going to act outrageous in some way - we all know it - hopefully the G-7 leaders will not play into Trump's manipulation attempts for attention.
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They should all just follow China's lead and impose heavy tariffs on US exports, but only on products produced in Trump-heavy states. I can just hear it now "Who knew that trade wars were so complicated?"
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While the only patriotic Republican works hard to hold Russia accountable and who served honorably in Viet Nam, Mr. Mueller.
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A New Yorker article compares Kaiser Wilhelm II's behavior and destruction of alliance's with Trump's immature and uniformed damaging behavior.
"One of the many things that Wilhelm was convinced he was brilliant at, despite all evidence to the contrary, was “personal diplomacy,” fixing foreign policy through one-on-one meetings with other European monarchs and statesmen. In fact, Wilhelm could do neither the personal nor the diplomacy, and these meetings rarely went well. The Kaiser viewed other people in instrumental terms, was a compulsive liar, and seemed to have a limited understanding of cause and effect. In 1890, he let lapse a long-standing defensive agreement ...."
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/what-happens-when-a-bad-t...?
Genealogists: perhaps these men are cousins? Has Trump inherited a set of damaging mutant genes that contribute to their shared personality disorder from a recent ancestor?
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Yes, it was an extraordinary article. The parallels and similarities are astounding.
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I remember how he rudely shoved someone out of the way last time to get in front of the group. That was typical of his ego and his bad attitude He should be shunned for his behavior and his choices for action and his words. He is a disgrace and embodies the concept of the Ugly American.
I hope that most of the world knows he is considered disgusting by many of us... .
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