G7 summit: Donald Trump lashes out at America's key allies

IANS  |  Washington 

US has renewed his attacks on America's closest allies following the divisive in at the weekend.

In a string of angry tweets, Trump said the US paid "close to the entire cost of Nato" to help protect countries that "rip us off on trade".

The US actually contributes about a fifth of Nato's direct funding under a formula based on national income.

allies criticised Trump's decision to reject a joint communique, the reported on Monday.

German described his change of heart as "sobering and a little depressing". The French presidency had earlier condemned "fits of anger".

After Trump had left the in he rounded on Justin personally, suggesting the Canadian was "very dishonest and weak" and "acts hurt when called out".

During a news conference, had reasserted his opposition to US tariffs on and aluminium, and vowed to press ahead with retaliatory moves on July 1.

UK told MPs on Monday that she wanted to pay "a particular tribute" to Mr for his leadership and skilful chairing.

She said it had been "a difficult with, at times, some very candid discussions" and that the UK would honour its commitments in the joint communique.

Trump's latest twitter tirade came after he arrived in for his summit with North Korea's

"Fair trade is now to be called fool trade," he added in response to the threat of the retaliatory tariffs against the US.

The tweeted on Monday that was paying disproportionately more towards the costs of the (Nato) than fellow members.

"They pay only a fraction of the cost - and laugh," he wrote, adding that the EU needed to pay "much more" to help fund the international military alliance, which comprises 28 members including the UK, US, Germany, and Not all EU members are Nato members.

Trump went on to say that the US gets "unfairly clobbered" on trade despite "protecting at great financial loss".

"Change is coming!" he warned.

Trump has consistently said that countries that have a trade surplus with the US - meaning they export more to the US than they import - are "taking advantage" of the US.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, June 12 2018. 03:10 IST