Trump lashes out at Canada and EU in Twitter rant

US President Donald Trump lashed out at US allies Monday in a Twitter rant focusing on trade following a contentious G7 summit of economic powers in Canada at the weekend.

“Fair Trade is now to be called Fool Trade if it is not Reciprocal,” Trump tweeted as he criticised Canadian tariffs on imports of US milk.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau then “acts hurt when called out”, Trump wrote.

Trump pulled out of endorsing a joint communique after the G7 meeting finished on Saturday, with the US president accusing Trudeau, the summit’s chairman, of dishonesty.

His Twitter rant on Monday continued: “Why should I, as President of the United States, allow countries to continue to make Massive Trade Surpluses, as they have for decades, while our Farmers, Workers & Taxpayers have such a big and unfair price to pay? Not fair to the PEOPLE of America!”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned that the proposed US levies would cause significant pain on both sides of the border

Adding to the US trade deficit is “the fact that the U.S. pays close to the entire cost of NATO-protecting many of these same countries that rip us off on Trade (they pay only a fraction of the cost-and laugh!)”.

He said the European Union “should pay much more for Military”.

According to Trump, Germany “pays 1% (slowly) of GDP towards NATO, while we pay 4% of a MUCH larger GDP. Does anybody believe that makes sense? We protect Europe (which is good) at great financial loss, and then get unfairly clobbered on Trade. Change is coming”.

Figures that Trump cites in his tweets have often been found to be incorrect or misleading.

He concluded: “Sorry, we cannot let our friends, or enemies, take advantage of us on Trade anymore. We must put the American worker first!”

Almost as an afterthought, Trump – currently in Singapore for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un – tweeted: “Great to be in Singapore, excitement in the air!”

Fair Trade is now to be called Fool Trade if it is not Reciprocal. According to a Canada release, they make almost 100 Billion Dollars in Trade with U.S. (guess they were bragging and got caught!). Minimum is 17B. Tax Dairy from us at 270%. Then Justin acts hurt when called out!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2018

Why should I, as President of the United States, allow countries to continue to make Massive Trade Surpluses, as they have for decades, while our Farmers, Workers & Taxpayers have such a big and unfair price to pay? Not fair to the PEOPLE of America! $800 Billion Trade Deficit…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2018

….And add to that the fact that the U.S. pays close to the entire cost of NATO-protecting many of these same countries that rip us off on Trade (they pay only a fraction of the cost-and laugh!). The European Union had a $151 Billion Surplus-should pay much more for Military!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2018

….Germany pays 1% (slowly) of GDP towards NATO, while we pay 4% of a MUCH larger GDP. Does anybody believe that makes sense? We protect Europe (which is good) at great financial loss, and then get unfairly clobbered on Trade. Change is coming!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2018

Sorry, we cannot let our friends, or enemies, take advantage of us on Trade anymore. We must put the American worker first!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2018