US President Donald Trump Calls Canadian PM 'Dishonest and Weak', Refuses to Sign G7 Statement

Quebec, June 10: US President Donald Trump has refused to sign the G7 statement and has escalated the acrimony between him and G7 leaders by targeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and calling him "very dishonest and weak." The President didn't stop there, he also warned of imposing heavy penalties on automobile imports thus resulting in what could be described as one of the most "tensed and cold" G7 meets in recent years.

President Trump kicked up controversy just before the start of the G7 summit in two ways. First, he asked for Russia to be inducted in the G7 again. (The G7 used to be known as G8 before Russia was eliminated from the group for annexing Crimea in the year 2014). And then, by tweeting that Canada and France were charging huge tariffs and creating non-monetary barriers for US after French President Emmanuel Macron said that the G7 may well do with G6 hinting America's exclusion from the group and also saying that "No leader is forever."

Please tell Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron that they are charging the U.S. massive tariffs and create non-monetary barriers. The EU trade surplus with the U.S. is $151 Billion, and Canada keeps our farmers and others out. Look forward to seeing them tomorrow.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2018

He specifically targeted Prime Minister Trudeau in the tweet just before the beginning of the G7 meet by tweeting:

Prime Minister Trudeau is being so indignant, bringing up the relationship that the U.S. and Canada had over the many years and all sorts of other things...but he doesn’t bring up the fact that they charge us up to 300% on dairy — hurting our Farmers, killing our Agriculture!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2018

The acrimony only seems to have reached new levels, if President Trump's latest tweets are anything to go by:

Based on Justin’s false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our U.S. farmers, workers and companies, I have instructed our U.S. Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the U.S. Market!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2018

The bitter exchange was soon turned personal by US President after he called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of acting "meek and mild" during their meeting.

PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted so meek and mild during our @G7 meetings only to give a news conference after I left saying that, “US Tariffs were kind of insulting” and he “will not be pushed around.” Very dishonest & weak. Our Tariffs are in response to his of 270% on dairy!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2018

President Trump has been targeting allies Canada and France over the high tariff rates and has promised of protectionist measures. In a tweet he firmly said that, "The United States will not allow other countries to impose massive Tariffs and Trade Barriers on its farmers, workers and companies. While sending their product into our country tax free. We have put up with Trade Abuse for many decades — and that is long enough." It remains to be seen what impact the Twitter rants of President Trump have over Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and trade relations between the US and Canada.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 10, 2018 03:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).