Trump likely to face a chilly reception at G-7 conference

Before President Donald Trump sits down with a third-generation North Korean autocrat, he will face what may well turn out to be a tougher crowd some of America's oldest allies.

With his new tariffs increasing US isolation, Trump heads to Canada tomorrow for a meeting of the Group of Seven industrialised nations.

The White House is expecting a chilly reception from Canada and West European countries, already frustrated over Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear agreement.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel previewed the dynamics yesterday, telling the German parliament that "it is apparent that we have a serious problem with multilateral agreements here, and so there will be contentious discussions."
"There may be disagreements," Kudlow added. "I regard this as much like a family quarrel."
He has highlighted his efforts on Twitter, writing Monday: "The US has made such bad trade deals over so many years that we can only WIN!" Kudlow said allies should understand that Trump "will do what is necessary to protect the US, its businesses and its workforce," adding that Trump "has always said, and I agree, tariffs are a tool in that effort."
While trade is expected to dominate, Trudeau also wants to focus on gender equality and climate change. Kudlow was vague on whether the summit will produce a joint decision or a clear outcome on trade or other issues, saying "let them meet first."
They tried to have close relations with him. They all tried to hug him close, as we used to say about Blair and Bush." But Wright added: "There is a feeling, I think, over the last few months, that that approach has not borne fruit, and that they haven't really gotten anything for that friendly approach."