Trump misses climate meeting and says he’ll invite Putin to next G7 amid erratic behaviour at summit
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Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump has skipped a meeting about climate change and biodiversity attended by other world leaders at the G7 on Monday, in the latest sign that the American government does not view the global threat as a priority.
Separately, meeting German chancellor Angela Merkel, the US president claimed there was “great unity” on how to deal with the Iran crisis. Ms Merkel, however, said there was a long way to go on the issue, which has created considerable headache as tensions have flared between Tehran and Washington.
The snubs came just before Mr Trump attended a joint press conference with French president Emmanuel Macron, where the two leaders claimed to have found unity on many issues — from Iranian nuclear enrichment, to trade.
Later, after Mr Macron left the stage, the American president stuck around for a few questions, where he lavished praise on Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, and at one point called himself an "environmentalist".
Mr Trump has also denied at the summit in France that he had suggested firing nuclear weapons at hurricanes — as was reported by Axios — and suggested his own Miami golf club for next year’s G7. He also claimed China had “called” to ask for trade talks – before a top Chinese official said he was unaware of any call.
Elsewhere, the 2020 Democratic primary field saw some heat, with a new poll showing Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Joe Biden all in a statistical dead heat among national voters.
The poll marked a potentially dramatic fall for Mr Biden from the top of the race, and came after Ms Warren attracted a massive crowd in Seattle — one that has received plenty of media attention for its striking visuals.
Also, Mr Trump's own party's primary field has gotten a bit tighter, with the long-shot entry of former congressman Joe Walsh, a one-time Trump supporter who claims the president has simply gotten too cozy with Russia.
Mr Macron: "For the last two days we have worked a lot together on several common points."
"One thing we have in common with president Trump is we don't like to waste our time, and we like to achieve concrete results."
Mr Macron: "As far as Iran is concerned [we have had discussions] and we agree Iran must comply with its nuclear obligations... and work with us."
Mr Macron says that Mr Trump and Iran president Rouhani may agree to a meeting, so that they can "sit around a table" to discuss a future agreement on the country's nuclear ambitions.
Mr Macron: "Of course I want to be very cautious and very modest but I hope this will put an end to escalation and to reach a political conclusion", of talks surrounding Iran.
Mr Macron, on trade: "I think we can say that our discussions have clarified what is legitimate and what the United States feels is an unfair situation. We have international rules that govern international trade."
Mr Macron says that the WTO has not been "efficient", and says that discussions "are underway currently" over future trade issues.
Mr Macron says there are "some players" who do not pay taxes, and that it is unfair.
He says the US, France, and other countries are pushing forward with new rules to keep international companies in line.
Mr Macron drawing a line between the US and France on trade, noting that some trade practices hurt both countries.
"We're going to work on a bilateral and multinational solution."
Mr Macron, finishing up his discussion of trade: "The idea is that we need to find a joint agreement. In order to address joint international problems... the international tax system definitely needs to be modernized and I think we will work together on this."
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