The annual G7 Summit of world leaders took place this past weekend in Charlevoix, Quebec. What is the G7? It is an annual meeting or gathering of 7 of the world's most industrialized nations. The countries included in this meeting are: The United States of America, The United Kingdom/England, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Italy. Every year they rotate a host country and the leader of that country acts as the "president" and is responsible for hosting the event, setting the agenda, and acts as a speaker of the entire G7. This year of course being held in Canada, the G7 summit was hosted by Justin Trudeau. The themes he and Canada set this year were:
- Preparing for jobs of the future
- Building a peaceful and secure world
- Investing in growth that works for everyone
- Working together on climate change, clean oceans, and clean energy
- Advancing gender equality and women's empowerment
Trudeau said of the themes that: "Canada is proud to put forward a progressive agenda for the 2018 G7. The themes we have chosen for this year will help focus our discussions on finding real, concrete solutions to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, clean energy and economic growth that works for everyone. As G7 partners, we share a responsibility to ensure that all citizens benefit from our global economy, and that we leave a healthier, more peaceful and more secure world for our children and grandchildren."
In recent weeks President Trump has been working on enforcing tariffs on trade. While POTUS Trump is very pleased with these new tariffs, some of the other world leaders are not as enthusiastic...it was during the summit that Trump brought up these new tariffs and urged the other leaders to not counter him on it. Trudeau was not having it...he ended up speaking up during his time hosting the G7.
Prime Minister Trudeau on the tariffs...
As a result POTUS Trump was quick to tweet about it shortly after hearing what was said. What else would be do? He tweeted this literally on his way to Singapore for his summit with North Korea.
When asked about Trump's tweets or insults towards Trudeau, a spokesperson, Cameron Ahmad, stated that, "We are focused on everything we accomplished here at the #G7 summit. The Prime Minister said nothing he hasn't said before — both in public, and in private conversations with the President."
With Trudeau's push back against POTUS Trump and his tariffs and Trump's then tweets bashing Trudeau, is there a new-found feud between the two countries and if so how will it affect each side?
Another thing that came out of the G7 Summit in Canada was this photo of the leaders that went viral. This particular photo and it's angle was released by Chancellor Angela Merkel's people. It depicts an intense moment between the leaders. Just take a look at the body language...
This photo has so many curious about what was said, why POTUS Trump was sitting, and where was Prime Minister Trudeau?
Whether or not more tensions arise between Canada and the United States after POTUS Trump & Trudeau butt heads, the bigger question is what nickname will Trump come up with for Trudeau now? That's the big question on everyone's mind. Will it be "Trippin' Trudeau" (a personal one I came up with), or "Trash Talkin Trudeau"? Hey, I might have to suggest some of these to POTUS Trump! I always enjoy a good nickname!
For more on the recent G7 summit and all that ensued, read on HERE.
-Producer Lightning