One day before the leaders of the worlds seven largest democracies meet in Quebec for the annual G-7 concave, the presidents of France and Canada today put President Trump on notice that if he pursues a unilateral approach to trade, the other major countries will move on without him and America – at least for now.
Fuming over the U.S. imposition of tariffs that threaten a global trade war, French President Emmanuel Macron, standing aside Canadian President Justin Trudeau at a press conference, issued a tough, blunt warning to Trump, who has said he is coming to make clear the U.S. must get better trade deals in the future.
“The six countries of the G-7 without the United States, are a bigger market taken together than the American market,” Macron said. “There will be no world hegemony if we know how to organize ourselves. And we don’t want there to be one.”
Macron added that they are prepared to act together if the U.S. goes its own way.
“Maybe the American president doesn’t care about being isolated today, but we don’t mind being six, if needs be,” Macron said.
To make sure Trump saw his remarks, Macron repeated his statements on the president’s favorite social media platform:
The American President may not mind being isolated, but neither do we mind signing a 6 country agreement if need be. Because these 6 countries represent values, they represent an economic market which has the weight of history behind it and which is now a true international force https://t.co/UA86fcjozs
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 7, 2018
Macron was later asked if he thought Trump did not mind “being isolated” from the other world leaders.
“Maybe,” responded Macron, “but nobody is forever.”
“Maybe the American president doesn’t care about being isolated today, but we don’t mind being six, if needs be,” Macron said.
The other countries are still angry over Trump’s imposition of stiff tariffs on aluminum and steel and in many cases other things as well, such as autos from Canada.
Trudeau has called the Trump tariffs “totally unacceptable,” and said that it is an insult to longtime friends to claim it is being done for “national security” reasons.
I will fight hegemony with all my strength. Hegemony is the survival of the fittest. Hegemony is the end of the rule of law. https://t.co/CcaIK65Cm5
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 7, 2018
Macron is said to have told Trump the tariffs are “economic nationalism” and that they would penalize everyone including the U.S.
VIDEO: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calls Donald Trump's national security justification for new metal tariffs on US allies "laughable," as he and French President Emmanuel Macron form a united front on trade ahead of the G7 summit pic.twitter.com/Na21QPBUiZ
— AFP news agency (@AFP) June 7, 2018
Trump is coming to the meetings with an attitude.
The Washington Post reports he seriously considered bailing out and sending Vice President Pence in his place, and that he doesn’t want to go because he will not be lectured to by the other world leaders.
Among countries which are friends and allies, it is inappropriate to refer to national security in order to justify trade sanctions. https://t.co/kzMeEwYsN0
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 7, 2018
Besides Macron and Trudeau, those who have already voiced opposition to Trump’s tariffs who will be on hand are UK Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
What Trump will hear from them is that a trade war doesn’t help anybody because for every tariff that the U.S. imposes, the other countries will place their own on U.S. goods.
A trade war is not good for anyone, starting with the American workers!
Let us renew the global trade framework. But let us all follow the same rules. https://t.co/UcC5SJYuOG— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 7, 2018
Macron said he wants allies to work together but it only works if there is a shared spirit of supporting democracy and maintaining long-standing respect for each other.
We must try to be convincing and to keep the United States in the community of nations, but we must never sacrifice our interests or values. https://t.co/zazAH2JJ6U
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 7, 2018
At every other G-7 since the end of World War II these allies, who stood up to Hitler and terrorism together in the past, have issued a joint statement at the end of the meeting that is usually politically correct and acceptable to all.
Typically that statement is agreed on in advance but not this time. It remains unclear if the seven can agree, which really means if the six can agree with Trump.
It is very hard for most Americans to watch Trump work to tear down these important alliances, push aside multilateral agreements and treaties and wreak havoc on friends while seemingly kissing up to the Vladimir Putin, aka the Russian bear, – who loves watching this happen.
Trump keeps saying the world now respects America for the first time in years but every indication is that the truth is the opposite — and that disrespect for each other will be on full display this weekend in Ottawa.