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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWe need to cancel the next G7. Let's resume them when Trump is gone
We need to cancel the next G7. Let's resume them when Trump is gone
Right now, the G7 is not equipped to work towards its goals. And the biggest obstacle is US President Donald Trump
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/27/cancel-g7-lets-resume-them-when-trump-is-gone?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0d1YXJkaWFuVG9kYXlVUy0xOTA4Mjc%3D&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUS&CMP=GTUS_email
The takeaway from the 2019 Group of 7 (G7) Summit? We need to cancel the 2020 G7.
The goal of the G7 is to bring together some of the worlds most prosperous democracies to coordinate on the most important issues of the day. Whether on climate change or responding to Russias invasion of Crimea or making gender equality a reality, the G7 countries are supposed to lead, crafting policies that can foster global peace and prosperity in ways that uphold democratic values.
Right now, the G7 is not equipped to work towards these goals.
The biggest obstacle is US President Donald Trump, whose policies are antithetical to the goals of the G7 he wants America to work alone, to destroy the current global trading system, slash foreign assistance that helps address transnational challenges, ignore human rights, and doesnt believe climate change is real. When Trump attends, chances are high that he causes a diplomatic incident, like he did at the 2018 G7 when he threw a temper tantrum and insulted his Canadian host. The G7 is an annual long weekend of toddler day care for Trump.
But Trump isnt the only problem right now. The United Kingdom is also led by an irresponsible leader who is in the process of pushing through Brexit no matter the consequences, which will undermine the UKs role in the world and its ability to work with its G7 partners. Italys government is in crisis as far-right parties drive Italy to a dangerous place and its economy teeters on the brink of calamity. Japan is in the midst of a trade war and dangerous escalating tensions with South Korea, a fellow democracy and US ally.
This years summit might not have been as much of a disaster as last years, but the bar should not be whether or not Trump leaves in a huff because Italy refuses to sell him Sicily it should be whether or not the meeting advances shared interests. And right now, its not.
French President Emmanuel Macron wanted to focus the G7 on issues like climate change. But Trump was angered by this focus, considering it a niche issue, or perhaps a hoax by the Chinese to divert the G7s attention from real issues, like completing the 2nd Avenue subway in New York City (yes, the president of the United States really did tweet about the NYC subway system in the middle of the G7). And so, Trump skipped the session dedicated to climate change.
Even the most basic goals of the summit leaders taking photos and agreeing to a joint statement to show unity of purpose among democracies are impossible with Trump involved. Macron wisely decided not to even attempt a full joint communique from the leaders (they instead released a brief one page list of issues discussed) the first time in more than four decades of summits the G7 didnt have one in order to avoid last years catastrophe when Trump withdrew his support for the communique after it had been finalized.
If these reasons for suspending next years G7 summit werent strong enough, with the United States slated to host in 2020 there are endless more opportunities for disaster. Trump made clear yet again at this years summit that he thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin should be invited back, even though Russia was expelled after invading Crimea in 2014 and still illegally occupies Crimea. As host next year, Trump could invite Putin even if others dont want to. Trump also said that he wants to host the G7 at one of his resort properties, another opportunity to enrich himself at the expense of the taxpayer and violate the emoluments clause of the constitution. And its scary to try to imagine what kind of policy agenda Trump would set and especially terrifying envisioning Trump attempting to run the meetings.
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ProudMNDemocrat
(16,786 posts)"We refuse to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to remodel YOUR business!"
Isn't that what the Trump Org. is suppose to do with all the money it STEALS??? Or is that a FARCE as well?
Wounded Bear
(58,670 posts)kozar
(2,118 posts)when I heard all this Doral Crap. Lets hope, the other 6 take control of the world. ( hopefully for just a bit) and deny him this.
Koz
at140
(6,110 posts)are all flat. Can you believe in Europe you have to pay the bank interest to keep money in the bank? Some countries in Europe have negative mortgage rates for home loans!!! Which means the bank pays YOU interest to take out a mortgage loan. That is because otherwise the bank would have to lay off a lot of their staff. China economy is still growing but at the slowest rate in 27 years. Japan national debt is much larger than USA based on GDP and growth is weak.
Yeah, the G6 can not afford to ignore world's strongest economy, which fortunately is us. We have decent growth, low inflation, low unemployment. None of the G6 can boast that.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,735 posts)they can just decide not to show up because they don't want to either waste their time or get bedbugs.
Firestorm49
(4,035 posts)As was witnessed this past week, Trump has again become the boil on the foot of progress. His ongoing lies and ignorance of basic facts make it difficult for the G6 (yes, I know) to function as a unified body. Sad. So sad.
The fact that a draft communique was not written by Macron is another slap in the face to what was once the greatest country on Earth, thanks to the old fool.
Every week its something else, and honestly, its nauseating, embarrassing and amateur.
magicarpet
(14,155 posts)Get a private room and give each other a bubble bath for a week solid. The other G6 countries can just cancel out and stay home.
That way trDump can shower Putin with love and attention as he so much desires.
Ohiogal
(32,006 posts)I wonder if it's even worth having a G7 summit. Maybe that time and effort would be better spent supporting the entire UN?
The thought of them holding it at one of Dump's properties just makes me want to barf. Yeah he will have to make sure they get rid of the bedbugs......