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G7: Trump isolated on trade and Russia as leaders meet G7: Trump isolated over trade and Russia on first day
(about 3 hours later)
Divisions between Donald Trump and the other leaders of the G7 nations have been laid bare at a summit in Canada. Divisions between Donald Trump and other leaders of G7 nations were laid bare on the first day of their summit.
The US leader made a surprise call for Russia to be readmitted to the group of top industrialised nations after its expulsion for annexing Crimea.The US leader made a surprise call for Russia to be readmitted to the group of top industrialised nations after its expulsion for annexing Crimea.
But German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU members attending the summit all agreed it should not happen. But German Chancellor Angela Merkel said EU members attending the summit in Canada were all against the idea.
Frictions over trade tariffs recently imposed by the Trump administration are overshadowing the summit. Frictions over trade tariffs recently imposed by the Trump administration continued during Friday's session.
Canada called Mr Trump's trade tariffs "illegal" while European Council President Donald Tusk warned that Mr Trump's stance on trade, climate change and Iran constituted a real danger. After meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, Mr Trump said they had a little test once in a while when it came to trade but, he added, they were working it out.
For his part, Mr Macron said he believed all sides were willing to find an agreement.
Reuters news agency cited a French presidential aide as saying the US had agreed to start a trade dialogue with the EU at a technical level in the next two weeks.
Mr Trump is leaving the two-day summit early to head to Singapore for his landmark summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Canada had called Mr Trump's trade tariffs "illegal" while European Council President Donald Tusk warned that Mr Trump's stance on trade, climate change and Iran constituted a real danger.
"What worries me most however is the fact that the rules-based international order is being challenged, quite surprisingly not by the usual suspects but by its main architect and guarantor: the US," he said."What worries me most however is the fact that the rules-based international order is being challenged, quite surprisingly not by the usual suspects but by its main architect and guarantor: the US," he said.
However, after meeting Mr Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron said "things were moving forward" and it was still possible to make progress on trade. He did not elaborate.
After rumours there would be no joint closing statement because of the divisions, President Trump told reporters he believed there would be one after all.
What is the G7?What is the G7?
It is an annual summit bringing together Canada, the US, the UK, France, Italy, Japan and Germany, which represent more than 60% of global net worth between them.It is an annual summit bringing together Canada, the US, the UK, France, Italy, Japan and Germany, which represent more than 60% of global net worth between them.
Economics tops the agenda, although the meetings now always branch off to cover major global issues.Economics tops the agenda, although the meetings now always branch off to cover major global issues.
This time they are meeting in the town of La Malbaie in Quebec.This time they are meeting in the town of La Malbaie in Quebec.
What was said about Russia?What was said about Russia?
Mr Trump said: "You know, whether you like it or not - and it may not be politically correct - but we have a world to run and in the G7, which used to be the G8, they threw Russia out. They should let Russia come back in."Mr Trump said: "You know, whether you like it or not - and it may not be politically correct - but we have a world to run and in the G7, which used to be the G8, they threw Russia out. They should let Russia come back in."
Initially, he found support in the shape of the newly installed Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who tweeted that it was "in the interests of everyone" for Russia to be readmitted.Initially, he found support in the shape of the newly installed Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who tweeted that it was "in the interests of everyone" for Russia to be readmitted.
But later Germany's Angela Merkel said all the EU members there, including Mr Conte, had agreed that Russia could not be readmitted unless there was "progress" on Ukraine. Canada too says it remains opposed.But later Germany's Angela Merkel said all the EU members there, including Mr Conte, had agreed that Russia could not be readmitted unless there was "progress" on Ukraine. Canada too says it remains opposed.
A Kremlin spokesperson meanwhile said they were interested in "other formats", apart from the G7.A Kremlin spokesperson meanwhile said they were interested in "other formats", apart from the G7.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently in Beijing, where he was presented with a friendship medal by Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently in Beijing, where he was presented with a friendship medal by Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
Fellow members of what was then the G8 suspended Russia after it took control of Crimea from Ukraine. Tensions remain, in part over the poisoning of a former Russian spy in the UK.Fellow members of what was then the G8 suspended Russia after it took control of Crimea from Ukraine. Tensions remain, in part over the poisoning of a former Russian spy in the UK.
Trump arrives with a bangTrump arrives with a bang
By the BBC's diplomatic correspondent, James RobbinsBy the BBC's diplomatic correspondent, James Robbins
Relations between Donald Trump and America's leading allies were already at a new low over trade tariffs before the president casually dropped his Russia hand-grenade.Relations between Donald Trump and America's leading allies were already at a new low over trade tariffs before the president casually dropped his Russia hand-grenade.
Most G7 leaders think the decision to expel Russia in 2014 was right then, and remains right today. Even Russia itself seems lukewarm about rejoining.Most G7 leaders think the decision to expel Russia in 2014 was right then, and remains right today. Even Russia itself seems lukewarm about rejoining.
In many ways, this seems to be a deliberate Donald Trump tactic, to distract attention from his war of words with the rest of the G7 over trade and protectionism.In many ways, this seems to be a deliberate Donald Trump tactic, to distract attention from his war of words with the rest of the G7 over trade and protectionism.
President Trump dislikes the whole idea of the G7: a club of nations which traditionally comes together around shared values rooted in a world order based on agreed rules. Last to arrive, he'll also be first to leave.President Trump dislikes the whole idea of the G7: a club of nations which traditionally comes together around shared values rooted in a world order based on agreed rules. Last to arrive, he'll also be first to leave.
How do other G7 members see trade?How do other G7 members see trade?
Mr Trump's imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports has sparked anger, with even US allies falling subject to them. The move has brought fears of a trade war.Mr Trump's imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports has sparked anger, with even US allies falling subject to them. The move has brought fears of a trade war.
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland called the tariffs "illegal and absolutely unjustified".Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland called the tariffs "illegal and absolutely unjustified".
Mr Trump said on Friday that the US and Canada were working on cutting tariffs "and making it all very fair for both countries".Mr Trump said on Friday that the US and Canada were working on cutting tariffs "and making it all very fair for both countries".
"We've made a lot progress today," he said, adding that the relationship between the two countries "is probably better than ever"."We've made a lot progress today," he said, adding that the relationship between the two countries "is probably better than ever".
UK Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wants the EU to act with restraint and proportion in retaliating to the US tariffs.UK Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wants the EU to act with restraint and proportion in retaliating to the US tariffs.
Unlike Mr Macron and Mr Trudeau, she will not be having a bilateral meeting with Mr Trump but insisted on Friday it was not a snub.
What else can we expect in Quebec?What else can we expect in Quebec?
Mr Trump is leaving early to head to Singapore for his landmark summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, meaning he will miss some of the topics advanced by Mr Trudeau.
The five themes for this year's summit are:The five themes for this year's summit are:
According to the leaders' programme, Mr Trump will be around for the economic and security issues being discussed on Friday but will miss climate change, the environment and probably gender equality on Saturday. According to the leaders' programme, Mr Trump will miss the talks on climate change, the environment and probably gender equality on Saturday.
The US president was very much the odd man out on climate change during the G7 in Italy last year, later announcing his intention to withdraw from the landmark Paris agreement.The US president was very much the odd man out on climate change during the G7 in Italy last year, later announcing his intention to withdraw from the landmark Paris agreement.
Iran is also a big sticking point. Mr Trump recently ditched the 2015 agreement with Tehran that aimed to curb its nuclear programme. This angered the other signatories who have since sought to shore it up.Iran is also a big sticking point. Mr Trump recently ditched the 2015 agreement with Tehran that aimed to curb its nuclear programme. This angered the other signatories who have since sought to shore it up.
Previous G7 meetings have seen huge protests, and about 8,000 soldiers and police officers are expected to be on hand during the Quebec event.Previous G7 meetings have seen huge protests, and about 8,000 soldiers and police officers are expected to be on hand during the Quebec event.