OTTAWA - U.S. President Donald Trump's Twitter tirade against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau following the G7 is sparking promises of support from some of Trudeau's political rivals as well as calls for calm from foreign diplomats and experts.
Based on Justin’s false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our U.S. farmers, workers and companies, I have instructed our U.S. Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the U.S. Market!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2018
PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted so meek and mild during our @G7 meetings only to give a news conference after I left saying that, “US Tariffs were kind of insulting” and he “will not be pushed around.” Very dishonest & weak. Our Tariffs are in response to his of 270% on dairy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2018
Trudeau has declined to comment on Trump calling him ``dishonest and weak,'' which several of the president's closest advisers have said was a response to comments the prime minister made at the end of the G7 meeting in the Charlevoix region of Quebec this weekend.
In her own tweet, Green Party leader Elizabeth May says Trudeau is handling what she calls Trump's outbursts and bullying as well as anyone, and that all Canadian leaders need to support the prime minister.
All Canadian leaders need to support Trudeau. Trump's outbursts, tariffs, amount to bullying. Trudeau is handling it as best anyone could.
— Elizabeth May (@ElizabethMay) June 10, 2018
Ontario premier-designate Doug Ford is also among those setting aside his political differences with Trudeau, re-asserting Sunday that he stands ``shoulder to shoulder'' with the prime minister on trade, as are federal Conservative party leader Andrew Scheer and Alberta's United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney.
I’m in complete agreement with the Prime Minister’s statement. A reasonable, balanced and firm assertion that Canada will not be bullied, and that we will retaliate if the US Administration does not end its attack on our steel exports. https://t.co/4wZ9Vf3pAR
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) June 10, 2018
This G7 meeting shows that united support for free trade is at serious risk.
— Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) June 10, 2018
Canada’s Conservatives continue to support the Prime Minister’s efforts to make the case for free trade. Divisive rhetoric and personal attacks from the US administration are clearly unhelpful.
The prime minister responded by remaining above the fray.
He sent a tweet that suggested he stands by the G7 communique despite the president's second thoughts.
``The historic and important agreement we all reached at G7Charlevoix will help make our economies stronger and people more prosperous, protect our democracies, safeguard our environment and protect women and girls' rights around the world. That's what matters,'' wrote Trudeau.
After declining to respond to questions during a Saturday night photo-op, Trudeau kept his views to himself during a series of photo-ops Sunday with world leaders attending a G7 outreach session in Quebec City.
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland responded gently to the insults by Trump's advisers.
``In terms of the approach that governments choose to take, Canada does not believe that ad-hominem attacks are a particularly appropriate or useful way to conduct our relations with other countries,'' she said.
Support for Canada and its allies surfaced in the U.S., with Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain and ex-FBI director James Comey - who Trump unceremoniously fired last year - took to Twitter to offer their support.
European G7 members also expressed solidarity with Trudeau.
A spokesman for Merkel said the other G7 members stand by their communique. And a French presidential official said that after two days of trying to win consensus, all of Europe was sticking to their agreed statement.
``International co-operation cannot depend on anger or small words. Let us be serious and worthy of our people. We commit ourselves and we hold.''