On Thursday, President Donald Trump attacked in a tweet the leaders of France and Canada as a result of the trade disputes that arose from the tariffs he imposed last Friday.
Trump’s tariffs and comments come only a day before the leaders of the seven major economic powers are set to have a summit in Canada. Trump lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for their threats to isolate the U.S. over his attempts to change the rules of global trade.
“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,” Trump tweeted.
Macron and Trudeau had a meeting in Ottawa, Canada, this week where they presented a united front against Trump’s protectionist policies. When Macron was asked during a joint press conference if Trump does not care about “being isolated” from other world leaders, the French president responded, “Maybe, but nobody is forever.”
“The six countries of the G7 without the United States, are a bigger market taken together than the American market,” Macron added.
CNBC reported that Macron also threatened to sign a joint communique with the other five nations in the summit emphasizing their desire for free trade.
“The American president may not mind being isolated, but neither do we mind signing a 6 country agreement if need be,” he tweeted. “Because these 6 countries represent values, they represent an economic market which has the weight of history behind it and which is now a true international force.”
Last month, Trump imposed steep steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and the European Union which are considered some of the U.S.’s closest allies. He used a legal provision that allows a president to impose tariffs on goods for national security reasons without Congress’ approval.
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