Trump, Macron Highlight Unity at G-7 Despite Differences

U.S. President Donald Trump and French counterpart Emmanuel Macron said there was unity on major issues at the G-7 summit in France, despite differences on display during the gathering that was dominated by trade issues, Iran’s nuclear program and the fires scorching the Amazon.At a joint news conference Monday, Trump spoke of “tremendous unity,” while Macron said all parties “have managed to find real points of convergence.”Iran meetingOn Iran, Macron said he hoped for a meeting in the “coming weeks” between Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Trump, however, did not commit to a time frame.”If the circumstances were correct, I would certainly agree to that,” Trump said while stressing that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons or ballistic  missiles.Macron reiterated his commitment to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement that Trump pulled out of last year. Trump again called it a bad deal.US-China tradeDuring the summit, G-7 leaders expressed concern about the escalation of the U.S.-China trade fight.Trump said the United States has received positive signs from Beijing on the issue. “I think they want to make a deal very badly,” he said.Macron said an agreement would help dispel uncertainly in global markets over the issue.RussiaOn the topic of Russia, Trump has been at odds with most of the other G7 leaders about his desire to see Moscow readmitted into the group.In 2014, Moscow’s membership in what was then the G-8 was suspended after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Trump said Russia would be an “asset” to the G-7 and again blamed its annexation of Crimea on his predecessor, President Barack Obama. Trump said it is better to have Russia “in the tent” rather than “outside the tent.”Brazil wildfiresThe leaders of the Group of Seven advanced industrialized economies also addressed the wildfires burning in the Amazon, pledging $20 million to help combat the blazes. Macron continued a feud with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro over Bolsonaro’s handling of the wildfires, saying the Brazilian president skipped a scheduled meeting with the French foreign minister. Bolsonaro said the French leader was treating the Amazon region like a “colony.”
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