U.S. President Donald Trump's chief economic adviser said comments on trade talks by Canada's prime minister had made the U.S. look weak on the eve of Trump's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
"He really kind of stabbed us in the back," the adviser, Larry Kudlow, told CNN in a televised interview on June 10, one day after the conclusion of the G7 summit in Canada. "It was a betrayal."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a June 9 press conference after the G-7, touted the work of the participating countries — the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the U.K. — in crafting a communique on issues including opportunities for women and the environment.
When asked about trade negotiations with U.S., Trudeau said a sunset clause in NAFTA was "not on the table," contradicting earlier remarks by Trump, who said the negotiations are on to include a sunset clause in the revised deal.
Trudeau also reiterated his intention to proceed with retaliatory tariffs on July 1 after Trump's decision to impose levies on steel and aluminum imports and order a review of the potential impact of auto imports on national security.
"It's not something we want to do," Trudeau said, adding: "We will not be pushed around."
Trump, in posts on Twitter, called Trudeau "dishonest and weak" and said the premier had made "false" statements. It was not clear which of Trudeau's comments Trump was calling false. Trump said the U.S. would not endorse the G-7 communique.
The U.S. had planned to sign the G-7 document until Trudeau's press conference, Kudlow told CNN.
"He says the U.S. is insulting, he said Canada has to stand up for itself," Kudlow said. "He did a disservice to the whole G-7. They were united in the G-7. They came together."
The president "is not going to permit any show of weakness on the trip to negotiate with North Korea," Kudlow said. "Kim must not see American weakness."
Trump has expressed confidence over his June 12 meeting with Kim, calling it a "mission of peace" and a "one-time shot" for the North Korean leader "to do good by his people and family." The U.S. president said that if the meeting, the objective of which is denuclearization of North Korea, fails, Kim "will never have that opportunity again."
"This is an historic event," Kudlow told CNN. The president "is not going to let a Canadian prime minister push him around. Trudeau made an error, he should take it back. He should pull back on his statement."
