Trump rips Canada, NATO in Singapore tweetstorm
President Donald Trump started his day in Singapore on Monday blasting the Canadian Prime Minister and slamming NATO just after meeting with the U.S. allies at the G-7 meeting in Quebec.
“Fair Trade is now to be called Fool Trade if it is not Reciprocal,” Trump tweeted Monday morning in Singapore. “According to a Canada release, they make almost 100 Billion Dollars in Trade with U.S. (guess they were bragging and got caught!). Minimum is 17B. Tax Dairy from us at 270%. Then Justin acts hurt when called out!”
Trump was referring to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the tweet.
The president has accused Canada of taking advantage of American workers through their trade practices.
According to the U.S. trade representative, however, there was an $8.4 billion U.S. trade surplus with Canada on goods and services in 2017.
Trump also took aim at NATO for relying too heavily on the U.S. for their security.
“The U.S. pays close to the entire cost of NATO-protecting many of these same countries that rip us off on Trade (they pay only a fraction of the cost-and laugh!),” Trump tweeted. “The European Union had a $151 Billion Surplus-should pay much more for Military!”
The U.S. pays 22% of NATO’s budget — higher than any other nation.
The U.S. has pushed NATO member nations to spend at least 2 percent of their GDP — a benchmark some have been unable to meet.
Trump was in Singapore preparing for his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“Great to be in Singapore, excitement in the air!” Trump wrote.