Trump to skip G7 climate sessions following spat with Macron, Trudeau
Washington, June 8 : US President Donald Trump will skip scheduled sessions on climate change, clean energy and oceans during the two-day G7 Summit which is slated to begin on Friday in Quebec, Canada, the White House announced.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, announced on Thursday that Trump will leave the resort in Charlevoix (where all the events are taking place) at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday, well before the Summit officially concludes later that day, reports The New York Times.
He will attend an early-morning session on "women's empowerment", but he will be gone before any joint statement is issued by the other leaders, Sanders added.
Earlier Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lashed out at Trump for imposing tariffs on their steel and aluminium industries.
"The American President may not mind being isolated, but neither do we mind signing a six country agreement if need be," Macron tweeted.
"Because these six countries represent values, they represent an economic market which has the weight of history behind it and which is now a true international force."
Also on Thursday, Trudeau said at a news conference that with Macron, "we are going to defend our industries and our workers" and "show the US President that his unacceptable actions are hurting his own citizens".
Trump responded with his trademark Twitter bluntness a few hours later, The New York Times reported.
"Please tell Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron that they are charging the US massive tariffs and create non-monetary barriers," he tweeted.
"The EU trade surplus with the US is $151 Billion, and Canada keeps our farmers and others out... Look forward to seeing them tomorrow."
Trump is scheduled to arrive Friday morning for the Summit. He will then attend a gathering that traditionally includes a moment of global camaraderie -- the "family photo" that captures Presidents and Prime Ministers smiling for the camera.
The tariffs he imposed last week on Canada, Mexico and the European Union have drawn sharp backlash from allies, whose leaders have described feelings of anger, regret and confusion, reports CNN.
"Patently absurd" is what Liam Fox, the British trade minister, called them. German Chancellor Angela Merkel Said they were "illegal", while Trudeau said they were "insulting and totally unacceptable".
But Trump's aides have signaled that he was unwilling to rethink the decision.
"There are disagreements. He's sticking to his guns, and he's going to talk to them," said Larry Kudlow, Trump's top economic adviser, at a briefing on Wednesday.
He described the disputes as a "family quarrel".
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Salute extraordinary courage of armed forces behind 'Operation Sindhoor': CM Siddaramaiah
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday saluted the armed forces for conducting missile strikes on Pakistan under 'Operation Sindoor', to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed.
He said, terror has no place in our land, and India will respond with strength and unity.
In retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces on early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke.
"I salute the extraordinary courage of our armed forces behind Operation Sindhoor. Their heroic action reaffirms that India will never tolerate terror in any form," Siddaramaiah said in a post on 'X'.
Stating that the brutal attack in Pahalgam was not just on innocent lives, it was an assault on the dreams and spirit of India, he said, "Every effort of our brave soldiers is a pledge to bring justice to the victims, their families, and to every Indian who believes in peace and humanity."
"Karnataka joins the nation in expressing unwavering solidarity with our forces. We are proud of your valour, sacrifice, and unflinching commitment to protect our sovereignty," he added.
India's response came two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack triggered widespread outrage in India and abroad.
