The striking image of German Chancellor Angela Merkel along with other G7 leaders with her hands firmly planted on a table as she stares down United States President Donald Trump – who is seated - arms folded and eyes glaring, has gone viral. The picture was taken during the recently held G7 summit.
The image was tweeted by the press team of Merkel.
The picture tells thousand words and conveys clearly the huge rift in the group. Apparently, the leaders of the UK, France and Japan were also seen leaning on Merkel's side I the picture.
The picture was ostensibly published even as Trump took to tweeter to severely criticize U.S.’s key allies saying that the US “paid close to the entire cost of NATO” to aid countries that “rip us off on trade”.
He said: “Fair trade is now to be called fool trade”, while responding to the threat of new tariffs against the U.S. by the European Union., Canada and Mexico.
Trump was also severe on the Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau by saying that he “acts out when called out”.
America is bearing the lion’s share of running NATO compared to the other members, said Trump who is in Singapore for the historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump said the U.S. gets “unfairly clobbered” on trade despite “protecting Europe at a great financial loss”.
He further tweeted: “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!”
He said that as a president of the U.S. he should not allow countries to continue to pile up huge trade surpluses as the countries have been doing for decades even as the American farmers, workers and taxpayers pay such a big and unfair price.
“Not fair to the PEOPLE of America! $800 Billion Trade Deficit...” he tweeted.
On top of the trade surplus, America also has to bear almost the entire cost of NATO, said Trump which is used for protecting many of those very countries that “rip us off on trade”. He added that the European Union should pay more for military because the block had a $151 billion surplus.
Merkel was fast to react to the tweets by saying that the comments were "depressing" and "sobering".
She said: "We cannot let ourselves be pulled over the barrel."
The G7 summit ended in chaos as Trump refused to endorse the joint statement of world leaders which further showed the tensions between the US and the EU.
Tensions between the parties arose after the Trump administration announced the imposition of import tariff on TU steel and aluminum.
Trump also blamed close ally Canada fo5r imposing tariffs on US goods and of making "false statements" by Trudeau. He said that Canada was "so meek and mild" during the summit and it was only later after Trump had left that they raised their voice against the U.S. which was "very dishonest and weak" according to Trump.
(Source:www.express.co.uk)
The image was tweeted by the press team of Merkel.
The picture tells thousand words and conveys clearly the huge rift in the group. Apparently, the leaders of the UK, France and Japan were also seen leaning on Merkel's side I the picture.
The picture was ostensibly published even as Trump took to tweeter to severely criticize U.S.’s key allies saying that the US “paid close to the entire cost of NATO” to aid countries that “rip us off on trade”.
He said: “Fair trade is now to be called fool trade”, while responding to the threat of new tariffs against the U.S. by the European Union., Canada and Mexico.
Trump was also severe on the Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau by saying that he “acts out when called out”.
America is bearing the lion’s share of running NATO compared to the other members, said Trump who is in Singapore for the historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump said the U.S. gets “unfairly clobbered” on trade despite “protecting Europe at a great financial loss”.
He further tweeted: “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!”
He said that as a president of the U.S. he should not allow countries to continue to pile up huge trade surpluses as the countries have been doing for decades even as the American farmers, workers and taxpayers pay such a big and unfair price.
“Not fair to the PEOPLE of America! $800 Billion Trade Deficit...” he tweeted.
On top of the trade surplus, America also has to bear almost the entire cost of NATO, said Trump which is used for protecting many of those very countries that “rip us off on trade”. He added that the European Union should pay more for military because the block had a $151 billion surplus.
Merkel was fast to react to the tweets by saying that the comments were "depressing" and "sobering".
She said: "We cannot let ourselves be pulled over the barrel."
The G7 summit ended in chaos as Trump refused to endorse the joint statement of world leaders which further showed the tensions between the US and the EU.
Tensions between the parties arose after the Trump administration announced the imposition of import tariff on TU steel and aluminum.
Trump also blamed close ally Canada fo5r imposing tariffs on US goods and of making "false statements" by Trudeau. He said that Canada was "so meek and mild" during the summit and it was only later after Trump had left that they raised their voice against the U.S. which was "very dishonest and weak" according to Trump.
(Source:www.express.co.uk)
