Donald Trump's attitude at the G7 summit was a show of arrogance

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Monday 11 June 2018 10:10 BST
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Russia should be invited back to the G7 according to Trump

After Donald Trump arrived late, showing poor statesmanship, he proceeded to try and hijack the conference. Who, apart from most Americans, trusts him and believes we should allow the country to play Big Brother?

They have no right to demand other countries dispose of their nuclear ambitions while they keep increasing their weaponry. After all, they are the only country to use nuclear bombs.

He makes unrealistic demands and comments on trade. What does America sell that we cannot purchase from other sources? Let their protectionism cause problems for them, and maybe Americans will vote for a better candidate next time.

Michael Pate
Lancashire

Let's not underestimate the importance of the North Korea summit

The historic summit between North Korea and the US demonstrates the triumph of diplomacy over old divisions and conflicts, and the refutation of the notion that a deal is impossible between ancient adversaries.

The world has witnessed similar watersheds in the past, from the recognition of Nelson Mandela's crusade for freedom and justice to the acknowledgement of Yasser Arafat's epic struggle against Israel's oppressive apartheid and occupation.

Both world leaders were once recognised as terrorists by the free world. One could only hope that there would be a thawing in the relations between Iran and the US, to placate rising tensions and bring stability to the Middle East.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob
London NW2

After the weekend's events, it would be ironic – yet not in the least surprising – if by the end of this week Kim Jong-un was the only world leader still on speaking terms with President Trump.

Mark Boyle
Renfrewshire

We must listen to the right people and end the folly of Brexit

Hooray for Stephen Goodall. No one is better qualified to judge the Brexit situation than he, a 96-year-old veteran of numerous campaigns that led to the reuniting of the diverse family of European nations.

As he comments, the European Union is not perfect, but is so much preferable to that which came before.

That our current batch of political leaders seem to have no concept of what they are apparently determined to do with our hard-won stability, shows how intellectually lightweight they are.

Now is the time for all sensible, rational thinkers to show their hand and end for good the folly of Brexit.

Join the march for a people’s vote on 23 June.

Steve Edmondson
Cambridge

Even a Tory like me will gladly sacrifice the party to save the country from Brexit

Brexit has all the hallmarks of the poll tax. For a long time, the latter pet project of Tory backwoodsmen proved to be a disaster in practice. To save itself 30 years ago, the party was forced to throw its iconic leader under a bus.

The fact is there are no quick and easy trade deals to compensate for the loss of trade with the EU's 27 members and the 61 countries with which it has deals – constituting altogether some 45 per cent of the world’s nations.

Inward investment is plummeting as the disaster unfolds. Our economy depends on the single market and the customs union's frictionless trade, and that will mean accepting the EU's practices, regulations and standards.

In a democracy the people must be allowed to vote again. Britain is heading towards the rocks, and for this lifelong Tory voter if salvation requires throwing the party under a bus this time, then it's a necessary sacrifice.

Rev Dr John Cameron
St Andrews

When it comes to the environment, we need to focus on the elephant in the room

With single-use plastics, the elephant in the room is disposable nappies. Even when “disposed of” as recommended they account for a large element of landfill, and decompose very slowly. When disposed of otherwise they contribute to the expensive nuisance of sewer blockages. Every child uses large numbers.

Yet no one is brave enough to call for them to be banned, and for a return to reusable washable nappies.

Michael Clarke
North Somerset

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