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QUEBEC CITY — President Donald Trump said Saturday that he was pulling the U.S. out of the Group of Seven's official statement of common values and accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the host of the G-7 conference, of "false statements."
An administration official earlier had said that Trump would join the summit communique. Trump had left on his way to Singapore for a North Korean nuclear summit when he tweeted that U.S. representatives would not sign it.
"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!" Trump wrote in one tweet before following it up with another shot at Trudeau.
"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,'" Trump wrote. "Very dishonest & weak. Our Tariffs are in response to his of 270% on dairy!"
Hours after Trump left the G-7 conference with Canada, the U.K., Japan, Germany, Italy and France, Trudeau had announced that the seven countries had come to a consensus on encouraging free and fair trade — an ambiguous "communique" that, in and of itself, left clear how divided the countries are on the issue.
"We acknowledge that free, fair and mutually beneficial trade and investment, while creating reciprocal benefits, are key engines for growth and job creation," the message read.
It appeared that Trudeau’s statements at a news conference prompted Trump's reversal. The president's allegation of mendacity by Trudeau stood out from the norm of diplomatic politeness.
Breaking News Emails
JUNE 8: Pres. Trump says Russia should be reinstated to G7
Jun.08.201802:09The about-face by the Trump administration dashed the hopes of the Group of Seven countries, including some Trump administration officials, that a collective agreement could be reached and endorsed after a week in which U.S. isolation from the G-7 was evident enough some officials began referring to it as the G6+1.
Trump often says that other nations have long taken advantage of the U.S. in trade agreements and he has committed his administration to eliminating or alleviating trade deficits with a variety of countries around the world. He said Saturday that he would continue to push Canada and Mexico to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement or would undertake separate talks with each country to forge new deals.
His National Security Adviser, John Bolton, reiterated Trump's vow not to let other nations use the U.S. as a "piggy bank."
After Trump departed Canada, Trudeau pledged that Canada would retaliate against U.S. tariffs if Trump doesn't reverse course.
"Canadians are polite, we're reasonable but we also will not be pushed around," Trudeau said.
Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, on Twitter sought to reassure U.S. allies Saturday evening.
"To our allies: bipartisan majorities of Americans remain pro-free trade, pro-globalization & supportive of alliances based on 70 years of shared values. Americans stand with you, even if our president doesn't," McCain said in the tweet.