Trump: Handelskrig är bra - Strafftull på stål och aluminium

For decades, the G-7 summit has been a venue for the richest countries to coordinate policies around trade and shared values, and the U.S. was the group’s undisputed leader. Now, many observers believe the Trump administration seems less interested in maintaining the post-World War II trading system and more concerned with domestic priorities.

The immediate focus of the talks—which include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S.—will be the Trump administration decision last week to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from fellow G-7 countries.

“Tariffs imposed last week by President Trump on the EU and Canada have increased significantly tensions before the meeting,” a senior EU official said, adding that a breakthrough to ease trade tensions was unlikely. “We have extremely low expectations.”

President Donald Trump, fed up with hearing he was weak on China, assembled his senior trade team at the White House on May 22 and vented, according to officials who were involved. He wanted a tougher approach, including tariffs he could use as a weapon to force trade concessions.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who favored a milder approach, had spent months maneuvering to become the administration’s point person on talks with China. Now, along with his administration rivals, he was getting a dressing down, the officials say.

“Get moving,” the president told them.

“In essence, these are sanctions,” Putin said of the tariffs. “What, did they ‘annex Crimea,’ as many of our partners say?”

Putin went on: “Our partners probably thought that these counterproductive policies would never affect them. . . . No one wanted to listen, and no one wanted to do anything to stop these tendencies. Here we are.”

One of the show’s hosts responded, “They got what they deserved.”

Donald J. Trump
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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.


Why isn’t the European Union and Canada informing the public that for years they have used massive Trade Tariffs and non-monetary Trade Barriers against the U.S. Totally unfair to our farmers, workers & companies. Take down your tariffs & barriers or we will more than match you!

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday Russia should be attending a Group of Seven nations meeting, as he prepared to fly to Canada to attend part of the three-day conference.