Trump labels Canada-US rift fake news

The war of words between The United States and  Canada or more precisely between US President Donald Trump and  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues following the Group of 7 Summit. in La Malbaie, Quebec.

The issue of trade was the most controversial issue with US Donald Trump  launching multiple barbs in Canada’s direction in the days leading up to his arrival.

The war of words escalated following Trump’s departure from the summit, as he expressed displeasure with Prime Minister  Trudeau’s remarks on the unfairness of U.S. tariffs, and Canada’s determination to not be pushed around.

Trudeau’s father, Pierre Elliot Trudeau who was Canada’s Prime Minster 1968-79 and 1980-84 once said of the United States: “Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt,” and with Trump’s “triumph” in his Singapore Summit, things are not likely to ease up any time soon.

Here’s a timeline of the spat between Trump and Trudeau:

May 25 – Trump reportedly quips to Trudeau, “Didn’t you guys burn down the White House?” after Trudeau protests the U.S. invoking “national security” as its reason for imposing tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.

May 31 – The Trump administration announces that Canada will no longer be exempt from steel and aluminum tariffs, prompting the Trudeau government to announce its own counter-measures.

June 6 – Trudeau tells Global National that he’s “disappointed” at the reasoning behind Trump’s tariffs, saying he doesn’t understand “in what universe” a long-time ally of the U.S. could be considered a national security threat.

He also says Canadians expect him to foster with Trump “a constructive, productive relationship in which we can work together, that is based on not insulting and disrespecting each other.”

June 7 – On the eve of the G7 summit, Trump tweets that Trudeau is “being so indignant” in bringing up the history of U.S.-Canada ties but not talking about Canada’s tariffs on dairy, which he says are “killing” American agriculture.

June 8 – On Day 1 of the summit, Trump jokes to reporters that “Justin has agreed to cut all tariffs, all trade barriers between Canada and the United States.” Trudeau responds with a laugh: “So I’d say NAFTA is in good shape.”

A reporter asks if Trudeau is disappointed that Trump was cutting out early to prepare for his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Before Trudeau can respond, Trump jumps in, saying, “No, he’s happy.”

June 9 – Trump extols his relationship with Trudeau and Canada as a 10 out of 10, blasting reports of a rift as “fake news.”

– Following Trump’s departure from the G7 summit, Trudeau says in a press conference that he told the U.S. president that his steel and aluminum tariffs were “kind of insulting,” that Canada “will not be pushed around” and that it would not hesitate to impose retaliatory measures.

– Trudeau added that Trump “will continue to say what he says,” but G7 countries made significant progress on matters of economy, female empowerment, environment and jobs.

– En route to Singapore, Trump launches a ferocious attack against Trudeau on Twitter, calling his behaviour during G7 meetings “meek and mild” and accusing him of making “false statements” at his press conference. Trump also tweets that he instructed U.S. officials not to endorse the joint communique agreed upon by G7 leaders.

– The Prime Minister’s Office responds by saying Trudeau didn’t say anything he didn’t previously say in public and private conversations with Trump.

June 10 – Trump’s economic advisor Larry Kudlow tells CNN that Trudeau “stabbed us in the back.”

– White House trade advisor Peter Navarro ups the ante, telling Fox News that there’s a “special place in hell” for Trudeau, who he accuses of engaging in “bad-faith diplomacy” with Trump.

June 11 – On Monday morning Singapore time, Trump takes to Twitter yet again to accuse Canada of “bragging” about a trade surplus with the U.S. — “Then Justin acts hurt when called out!” He adds that America “cannot let our friends, or enemies, take advantage of us on trade anymore.” … GLOBAL NEWS