G7 becomes ‘G6 and Donald Trump’ as US president fights off a united front over his trade war-like tariffs on allies
US President Donald Trump refused to budge on trade tariffs he placed on his allies last week as he met the heads of those countries at the G7 gathering on Friday
US President Donald Trump continued to test the bonds – and patience – of the other G7 members as they presented a united front against his swingeing tariffs on the first day of the annual summit on Friday.
Trump countered a slew of trade numbers from his allies with his own, different data, holding firm to his position that the United States was at a disadvantage, an official at the Quebec, Canada summit said on Friday as consensus eluded the group’s leaders.
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Friday’s trade session, where the Group of 7 allies planned to confront the US president over trade tariffs, had “some emotions” but was civilised and diplomatic, said the official who followed the talks.
“The other leaders presented their numbers and Trump presented his. As expected he did not budge. This is probably not because he does not understand, but because of domestic reasons,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
US trading partners are furious over Trump’s decision last week to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Canada, the European Union and Mexico as part of his “America First” agenda. Some have retaliated.
