US President Donald Trump pitches ending trade tariffs at G-7 summit

LA MALBAIE: US President Donald Trump, who is attending the two-day Group of Seven (G-7) summit in Canada's La Malbaie, reportedly pitched the idea of discarding all tariffs and trade barriers between the US and its G-7 allies, at the summit.

"We should at least consider no tariffs, no barriers - scrapping all of it," the US media reported Trump, as saying to the assembled leaders.

Trump's latest suggestion is ironic as it comes amid a trade war, which the US President had launched recently.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly challenged Trump's remarks, asking, "What about subsidies?"

Politico reported that leaders present for the meeting took Trump's suggestion as largely rhetorical.

Optimistically responding to Trump's suggestion, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, is reported to have told him, "We'll take it as a starting point."

Earlier on Friday, Trump had a spat with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over Twitter, lashing out at them in a series of tweets over criticism of U.S' imposition of trade tariffs.

"Why isn't the European Union and Canada informing the public that for years they have used massive Trade Tariffs and non-monetary Trade Barriers against the U.S. Totally unfair to our farmers, workers & companies. Take down your tariffs & barriers or we will more than match you!" Trump tweeted on Friday.

Why isn’t the European Union and Canada informing the public that for years they have used massive Trade Tariffs and non-monetary Trade Barriers against the U.S. Totally unfair to our farmers, workers & companies. Take down your tariffs & barriers or we will more than match you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2018

"Prime Minister Trudeau is being so indignant, bringing up the relationship that the U.S. and Canada had over the many years and all sorts of other things...but he doesn't bring up the fact that they charge us up to 300% on dairy - hurting our Farmers, killing our Agriculture!," Trump wrote in another tweet.

In another Twitter post, Trump wrote, "Please tell Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron that they are charging the U.S. massive tariffs and create non-monetary barriers. The EU trade surplus with the U.S. is $151 Billion, and Canada keeps our farmers and others out. Look forward to seeing them tomorrow."

Please tell Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron that they are charging the U.S. massive tariffs and create non-monetary barriers. The EU trade surplus with the U.S. is $151 Billion, and Canada keeps our farmers and others out. Look forward to seeing them tomorrow.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2018

On May 31, the US had announced the imposition of 25 and 10 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum respectively on three of its biggest trading partners - Canada, Mexico and the European Union (EU).