The United States is being singled out by all of its G7 allies over the Trump administration’s hefty tariffs on steel and aluminum as the exclusive club of rich nations edges closer to a trade war.
The dispute over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs is driving a wedge in the G7, laying the groundwork for a potential clash among its leaders next week in Quebec’s Charlevoix region.
Following the conclusion today of a three-day meeting of G7 finance ministers in Whistler, B.C., Finance Minister Bill Morneau issued issued a chair’s summary that says the other six members want Trump to hear their message of “concern and disappointment” over the U.S. trade actions.
Allies including Canada and the European Union are threatening retaliatory tariffs in hope of forcing Trump to back down from his position.
They are calling for decisive action from Washington and are urging U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to deliver their message before next week’s leaders’ summit.
The G7 leaders’ summit, which will be hosted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will also mark Trump’s first visit to Canada as president.