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G7 summit dogged by divisions between Trump and allies Trump at G7: US president calls for end to tariffs and trade barriers
(about 5 hours later)
Talks at the G7 summit in Canada have failed to resolve deep differences between US President Donald Trump and leaders of major industrial nations. US President Donald Trump says he proposed the elimination of tariffs in talks at the G7 summit in Canada, as the major industrial nations struggled to resolve differences on trade.
The divisions were laid bare on Friday, notably over trade. Mr Trump said talks with fellow leaders were "extremely productive" despite tensions over his decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
Allies of the US are furious over Mr Trump's recent decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, raising fears of a global trade war. US allies were furious over the move, raising fears of a global trade war.
It is unclear whether a communique agreed by all will be released when the meeting concludes later on Saturday. Mr Trump left early for a landmark meeting with North Korea's leader.
The two-day summit is being held in the town of La Malbaie, in Quebec province. He is travelling to Singapore to meet with Kim Jong-un on Tuesday to try to persuade him to give up the country's nuclear weapons.
Mr Trump is due to leave early on Saturday to head to Singapore for a landmark meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. What did Trump say?
Divisions wider than trade Briefing reporters before he left the town of La Malbaie, in Quebec province, Mr Trump denied that the G7 summit had been contentious.
By the BBC's diplomatic correspondent, James Robbins, Quebec "No tariffs, no barriers. That's the way it should be. And no subsidies. I even said, 'no tariffs'," the US president said, describing his meetings with fellow Group of Seven leaders as positive "on the need to have fair and reciprocal trade".
This summit started very badly, and it could end without the usual communique agreed by all. "The United States has been taken advantage of for decades and decades," he continued, describing America as a "piggy bank that everyone keeps robbing".
Divisions between Mr Trump and the other six leaders go way beyond trade - they include climate change, relations with Iran and the Israel-Palestinian conflict. But he said he did not blame G7 leaders for the "unfair" trade deals - instead blaming his American predecessors.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is one of those arguing it might be better to set out those differences clearly rather than give a false impression of unity. It's more honest, she said, than pretending everything's OK. Angered by the high steel and aluminium tariffs, Canada, Mexico and the EU have all said they are all planning retaliatory measures.
Others still believe some sort of consensus can be found, and Mr Trump says he's hopeful of progress. But there's no doubt about Mr Trump's isolation. President Trump warned against such moves, calling it a "mistake" and said if it gets as far as a trade war, then the US would "win that war a thousand times out of a thousand".
He dislikes negotiating with groups, and he will leave well before the end of this G7 summit: next stop Singapore, to face Kim Jong-un, and seek the sort of one-to-one deal he much prefers. With divisions over trade laid bare, it still unclear whether a communique agreed by each G7 member will be released when the summit concludes later on Saturday.
Why are there divisions?Why are there divisions?
On 1 June, the US imposed a 25% tariff for steel and 10% for aluminum on imports from the EU, Canada, and Mexico. Mr Trump said the move would protect domestic producers that were vital to US security. On 1 June, the US imposed a 25% tariff for steel and 10% for aluminium on imports from the EU, Canada, and Mexico. Mr Trump said the move would protect domestic producers that were vital to US security.
The EU then announced tariffs on US goods ranging from Harley-Davidson motorcycles to bourbon. Canada and Mexico are also planning retaliatory moves.The EU then announced tariffs on US goods ranging from Harley-Davidson motorcycles to bourbon. Canada and Mexico are also planning retaliatory moves.
On Friday Canada's foreign minister called the tariffs "illegal ". European Council President Donald Tusk said they threatened the "rules-based international order".On Friday Canada's foreign minister called the tariffs "illegal ". European Council President Donald Tusk said they threatened the "rules-based international order".
UK Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wants the EU to act with restraint.UK Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wants the EU to act with restraint.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he believed all sides were willing to reach agreement.French President Emmanuel Macron said he believed all sides were willing to reach agreement.
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.
Russia was suspended from group in 2014 because of its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. On Friday, Mr Trump made a surprise call for Moscow to be readmitted, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel said other members were against the idea. Russia was suspended from the group in 2014 because of its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. On Friday, Mr Trump made a surprise call for Moscow to be readmitted, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel said other members were against the idea.
Meanwhile, another international summit is being held in China. President Xi Jinping is hosting a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional security bloc, in the eastern city of Qingdao. Meanwhile, another international summit is being held in China. President Xi Jinping is hosting a meeting of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO), a regional security bloc, in the eastern city of Qingdao.
President Vladimir Putin of Russia, as well as leaders from Iran, India, Pakistan, and four central Asian, are taking part. President Vladimir Putin of Russia, as well as leaders from Iran, India, Pakistan, and four central Asian leaders, are taking part.
What else is being discussed at the G7?What else is being discussed at the G7?
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 miss the talks on climate change, the environment and probably gender equality on Saturday. Mr Trump was thought likely to miss the talks on climate change, the environment and probably gender equality on Saturday.
The US president was 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 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 sticking point. Mr Trump recently ditched the 2015 agreement aimed ar curbing Iran's nuclear programme. This angered the other signatories who have since sought to shore it up. Iran is also a sticking point. Mr Trump recently ditched the 2015 agreement aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme. This angered the other signatories who have since sought to shore it up.