Trump Leaves G7 Without Resolutions

Eager to be in Singapore in time for his upcoming historical meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, President Donald Trump left the ongoing G7 Summit in Canada without resolving any of the issues that were created prior to the event. In the weeks leading up to the summit, Trump had imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Canada and Europe, angering his allies, who in turn imposed counter tariffs, leaving the trade situation between them in a state of potential distress.

Following what seemed to be the arrival of an amicable settlement to the current trade conflict on Friday, where Trump and Macron, among others, seemed to have once again found the cordiality of their nations’ mutual relationship, Saturday proved to be a different story. Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, found himself on the receiving end of Trump’s reasoning about the tariffs he imposed on Canadian steel and aluminium, extending his dialogue to include the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that involves Mexico as well, suggesting that it be terminated and re-drafted every five years. In addition, he once again went about playing the United States as a victim of unfair trade practices around the world, stating that the US will not trade with nations that impose or uphold tariffs on US exports.

At a press conference he gave just before leaving the summit, Trump seemed to suggest that during his meeting with Kim in Singapore, he would know in a very short amount of time whether or not Kim was serious about the negotiations. He added that if this was the case, he would not waste his time if he found that the North Korean supremo was otherwise maneuvering politically.