Trump in fight with G-7 allies

President Trump goes to Quebec City for a meeting tomorrow of the G-7 leaders of the world's industrial democracies (who are also our allies).  Typically, he is fighting with our friends, while cozying up to leaders of our adversaries.   Here's a portion of what reporter Damian Paletta wrote for the Washington Post:

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"QUEBEC CITY — French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday threatened to join with other world leaders to issue a rare rebuke of the United States at a global summit here this weekend, drawing immediate and sharp replies from President Trump.

"Macron threatened to exclude the United States from the joint statement issued every year at the end of the Group of Seven summit of industrial democracies, as part of an international pushback against Trump’s efforts to change trade rules. 

“'The American President may not mind being isolated, but neither do we mind signing a 6 country agreement if need be,' Macron wrote on Twitter. '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.' 

"Trump responded by accusing Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of hurting the United States with unfair trade practices. Trump also said Trudeau is 'being so indignant,' an unusually personal attack aimed at one of the U.S.’s closest allies. 

"'Please tell Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron that they are charging the U.S. massive tariffs and create nonmonetary 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 wrote. . . . 

"The exchange highlighted President Trump’s contrasting negotiating approaches to allies and adversaries. The president traded barbs with the French president just hours after his administration relaxed its punishment of the Chinese telecom company ZTE, a concession that could pave the way for a trade deal with China.

"Leaders in Europe, Canada and Mexico are furious over Trump’s invocation of national security to justify tariffs on their exports of steel and aluminum to the United States. When the president arrives Friday in Quebec, he will find U.S. alliances badly frayed, turning Trump’s tariffs into the focus of the G-7 summit.

"Those tensions boiled over in recent days during testy presidential phone calls with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Trudeau and Macron.  In contrast, Trump has shown a willingness to conciliate China in hopes of a trade deal he can bill as a major achievement. 

“'The traditional definition of allies is certainly being called into question,' said Douglas Rediker, executive chairman of International Capital Strategies, a financial advisory firm.  'If you look at it holistically, then it doesn’t make sense. But it’s consistent with the purely transactional nature of this president and the political imperative of being seen as cutting a big deal on a big issue. . . .” 

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There's more, but this captures the essence of Trump's brutish behavior with our closest allies and friends.   It's embarrassing.   I hope they call him on his factual inaccuracies.   It'll be interesting to see if he is any more conciliatory and diplomatic and collegial in person.   Let's hope so.   This is not a group that usually fights;  we share common interests for the most part, and differences are worked out in non-hostile ways.

Ralph

Friday morning addition:  As he was leaving Washington to travel to the G-7 meeting, President Trump made a statement saying that Russia should be readmitted to the G-7 meeting.    The group expelled Russia after its annexation of Crimea.   This introduces even more tension and divisiveness in the group, which sees as one of its goals the fostering world order.   Invasion and takeover of another country does not fit that goal.   And, once again, here is Trump siding with Russia against our allies.